Material From Original Gov't Discussion Paper
[Summary of the Farm Practices Protection Act from original discussion papersource#1, Mb Regs and guidelines p.5-6 ]The Farm Practices Protection Act, proclaimed in 1994, establishes a process for reviewing and mediating nuisance disputes arising from the practices of agricultural operations. The intent is to protect farmers from nuisance suits when they are operating in a normal manner, and to bring about changes to practices that are unacceptably disturbing neighbours.
Complaints are handled by the Farm Practices Protection Board, which is appointed by the Manitoba Minister of Agriculture and Food. Through a semi-judicial process, the board brings farmers and complainants together to resolve concerns.
The board uses the Manitoba government’s Farm Practices Guidelines to determine normal farming practices for livestock operations. The board has the authority to order the farmer to modify his or her practices if they are considered unacceptable, and can force compliance by filing its Order in court. Under the act, the board can also order a producer to adopt a particular technology to resolve problems.
To date, the board has handled about 27 complaints, including 18 involving odour from livestock operations (12 related to hogs, three to dairy, two to beef and one to horses). In 11 of these cases, the board ordered the livestock operations to modify their practices. Of the remaining cases involving livestock odour, three complaints were dismissed, three were mediated or withdrawn, and one producer was ordered to cease the offending practice.
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Material From "Common Ground" Government Report
Other Material and References