WHEREAS some rural municipalities are experiencing inconsistencies with local municipal bylaws and provincial legislation when dealing with Intensive Livestock Operations (ILOs) that are no longer operating; and

WHEREAS under The Agricultural Operations Act, Intensive Livestock Operation approvals are still valid when an ILO stops operating;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT SARM lobby the Provincial Government to amend The Agricultural Operations Act to require an expiration date for Intensive Livestock Operation approvals once they stop operating.

RESPONSE FROM HONORABLE LYLE STEWART, MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

The Ministry of Agriculture acknowledges the benefit of land use decisions based on accurate information about intensive livestock operations, and that facilities not intending to continue operations should not impede development of other accepted and approved land uses.  When The Agricultural Operations Act is next opened for legislative review, amendments will be considered that enhance the ability to cancel approvals when appropriate to do so.  The Ministry is also committed to work with SARM, local municipalities and the Ministry of Municipal Relations (Community Planning) to define criteria within their respective authorities to address the land use and development concerns related to intensive livestock farms that have discontinued operations.  In many situations the stoppage in production is intended to be short term for economic, maintenance or disease management purposes, and provision for the intended repopulation of these facilities needs to be considered.  Within the municipal land use authorities and subdivision regulations, the ability exists to establish criteria which would address these development concerns.