MCPA Resolutions from 2008 Annual General Meeting

Here are the Resolutions debated at the 2008 Annual General Meeting:

1. Reaffirm MCPA Policy Number 2007.04 (Improving Problem Predator Removal Program)
Be It Resolved that the MCPA reaffirm policy number 2007.04 (Resolution 9 from the 2007 AGM) regarding improvements to the provincial problem predator removal program.
MCPA Policy Number 2007.04: Improving Problem Predator Removal Program
Whereas the current Problem Predator Removal Program has some serious flaws that need to be addressed,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the Provincial Government to establish the following:
1. A fee be established for $300.00 per wolf and $50.00 per coyote,
2. Eliminate the 24hr. limit on the trapping permit,
3. That a long term commitment be made for funding this program.
Art Jonasson/GlenMetner
CARRIED

2. Retain the Manitoba Forage Assistance Program as a Permanent Crop Residue Program
Whereas the burning of straw is not a suitable use of an available resource since burning crop residue causes pollution that damages both the environment and human health, and
Whereas the Elie Isoboard plant is no longer in operation to make use of this resource,
Be It Resolved that MCPA request that the Province of Manitoba retain the Manitoba Forage Assistance Program or a program similar to it as a yearly freight assistance program for crop residue, and
Be It Further Resolved that the Province encourage crop producers in Manitoba not to burn their stubble but make crop residue available for feed instead.
Mark Emilson/Glen Metner
CARRIED

3. Deferred Livestock Payments
Be It Resolved that MCPA lobby the federal and provincial governments to legalize deferred livestock payments.
Glen Metner/Art Jonasson
CARRIED

4. Use of Cyanide Guns for Problem Predator Control
Whereas problem predator incidents are increasing and resulting damage and loss to livestock is on the increase,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the federal and provincial governments to reintroduce the use of cyanide guns for problem predator control in Manitoba.
Glen Metner/Art Jonasson
DEFEATED

5. Improve Provincial Problem Beaver Program
Be It Resolved that MCPA lobby the provincial government to improve the existing Problem Beaver Control Program by adequately compensating producers for damages caused by beavers.
Glen Metner/Art Jonasson
CARRIED

6. Transfer Departmental Responsibility for Crown Lands to MAFRI
Whereas provincial responsibility for Crown lands has been allotted to three different departments in the provincial government,
Be It Resolved that MCPA request that provincial responsibility for Crown lands revert to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.
Betty Green/Jay Fox
CARRIED

7. Changes Required to AgriStability Program
Whereas both the old CAIS and new AgriStability programs do not work for cattle and other livestock producers,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA and CCA formally request that the federal and provincial governments move immediately on making the necessary changes to CAIS/AgriStability to enable these programs to work for cattle producers.
Larry Clifford/Mac McRae
CARRIED

8. TB Related Deer and Elk Depopulation in Southeast Manitoba
Whereas bovine TB has been detected in cattle herds in Northern Minnesota, and
Whereas the State of Minnesota has responded to the outbreak of bovine TB with targeted wildlife depopulation measures as part of its overall bovine TB Management Strategy,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the Province of Manitoba to conduct a depopulation of the deer in southeast corner of the province as well as establish a hunting season for elk in southeast Manitoba.
Don Winnicky/Allen
Kopeechuk
CARRIED

9. Provincial Reporting System for Cattle Market Prices
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to establish a better and more accurate reporting system for the market prices of cattle sold in Manitoba.
Don Winnicky/Greg
Johnson
CARRIED

10. End the Exclusion of Grazing Practices from MASC Wildlife Compensation
Whereas there is a clear need for the provincial government to promote better management practices in Manitoba such as bale grazing, standing corn grazing and swath grazing,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to end the exclusion of bale grazing, standing corn grazing, swath grazing and other management practices from the MASC wildlife insurance program.
Bill Acheson/Greg Johnson
CARRIED

11. Reaffirm MCPA Policy Number 2007.05 (Remote Electronic Review of CCIA Data)
Be It Resolved that the MCPA reaffirm policy number 2007.05 (Resolution 10 from the 2007 AGM) regarding the remote electronic review of CCIA data.
MCPA Policy Number 2007.05: Remote Electronic Review of CCIA Data
Whereas CCIA has a database system for identifying cattle in Canada,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby CCIA in order for individual producers who have purchased CCIA tags to have the ability, by entering individual PIN numbers, to review the data for the calves they have produced (e.g., carcass data which would assist producers to evaluate genetics of their herd).
Bill Acheson/Greg Johnson
CARRIED

12. Beaver Dam Removal on Crown Lands
Whereas current beaver removal programs in Manitoba are unable to target the problems with beaver dams on Crown land properties,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the relevant provincial government departments (MAFRI, Manitoba Conservation, and MIT) for the removal of beaver dams on the Garland Point River Watershed and other problem watersheds.
Mary Paziuk/Kim Crandall
CARRIED

13. Expansion of Kill Permits for Problem Wildlife
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government for the establishment of a kill permit for problem wildlife not presently included within current problem wildlife management programs but nonetheless pose a threat to property, food safety and livelihood.
Kim Crandall/Allen
Kopeechuk
CARRIED

14. Ban on Use of All Animal By-products in Ruminant Feed
Be It Resolved that MCPA lobby the federal government to ban the feeding of animal by-products such as porcine meal, feather meal, poultry meal, and animal fat to ruminants, and
Be It Further Resolved that in the absence of such a ban, that the federal government be asked to require that the sale of all feeds include a list of ingredients as well as a statement as to the types of animal products used in the feed mill, and
Be It Further Resolved that the federal government require all trucks transporting animal byproducts be washed out in between loads to prevent cross contamination.
Brent Benson/Greg Johnson
CARRIED

15. Feed and Livestock Production Insurance Programs
Whereas existing production insurance programs for cattle producers’ feed sources such as hay are not effective or sufficient, and
Whereas the livestock production insurance program promised by both provincial and federal governments in 2003 as part of the Agricultural Policy Framework still does not exist under Growing Forward, and
Whereas feed and livestock production insurance program is an essential building block under the APF/Growing Forward for the AgriStability program to work effectively for cattle producers,
Be It Resolved that MCPA continue to lobby both levels of government for workable and effective production insurance programs for cattle producers that will insure both feed sources and livestock.
Mary Paziuk/Irene
Kopeechuk
CARRIED

16. Beaver Removal Program Compensation
Whereas the current Beaver Removal Program compensation fee of $15 is inadequate to properly deal with the beaver problem,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to increase the Beaver Removal Program compensation amount from $15 to $50 per beaver in order to cover actual costs, and
Be It Further Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to have Beaver Removal Program compensation be solely administered by the Department of Conservation.
Larry Clifford/Jay Fox
CARRIED

17. Increase Elk Hunting Areas
Whereas elk that pose a risk of disease and property damage are traveling in larger numbers outside of the current hunting zones in Manitoba,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to increase elk hunting areas beyond the current hunting zones in order to mitigate the risk of disease and property damage from elk.
Robert Schwaluk/Larry
Clifford
CARRIED

18. Government Funding for CCIA Tags
Whereas BSE and other diseases are a food safety issue, and
Whereas the cost of ID tags are a financial burden to the producer,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial and federal governments to cover the cost of CCIA tags for producers.
Dave Fulton/Stephen
Reykdal
DEFEATED

19. Municipal Expropriations

Whereas municipalities have set a precedent by expropriating land beyond what has traditionally been understood as a public need (i.e., roads and sewage lagoons),
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government to change the Municipal Act to prevent municipalities from expropriating land and improvements for the purpose of economic development, including but not limited to, engaging in a business-related or industry-related undertakings.
DAVE FULTON/RAY ARMBRUSTER
CARRIED UNANIMOUS

20. Trade Challenge Against COOL
Whereas Canada, the U.S., and Mexico each signed a NAFTA trade agreement, and
Whereas U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) legislation and regulations are a contravention of this trade agreement,
Be It Resolved that the MCPA request CCA to press the federal government immediately on launching a trade challenge to COOL under either NAFTA or WTO rules.
Robert Schwaluk/Ray Armbruster
CARRIED
21. Gopher Control Program
Be It Resolved that the MCPA lobby the provincial government for a gopher control program whereby producers can purchase bait. and are eligible for reimbursement of 50% of bait costs.
Jay Fox/Susan Johnson
CARRIED

22. Return Restrictions on Oversize Load Permits to Previous Amounts
Whereas Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation recently changed the restrictions and conditions stated on oversize permits for the purpose of long loads (over 23 meters) of hay and straw pulled by a farm tractor, and
Whereas producers who were previously issued an oversize permit in 2007 to haul hay and straw were not adequately notified that the conditions under the permit had been changed when renewing their oversize permits for 2008,
Be it resolved that the MCPA lobby the Minister of Infrastructure and Transportation to change the restrictions on oversize permits back to their previous amounts, and
Be it further resolved that the Minister be asked to provide an explanation as to why producers were so inadequately informed of changes to the regulations.
Don Winnicky/J. Anovich
CARRIED

23. Agricultural Crown Land Sale Program
Whereas the Government of Saskatchewan has introduced an Agricultural Crown Land Sale Program of significant size, and
Whereas Manitoba cattle producers as well as the general public would benefit substantially from a similar made-in-Manitoba policy,
Be it resolved that the MCPA enter into discussions with all major political parties in Manitoba to adopt an agricultural crown land sale program suited to Manitoba.
Greg Johnson/Art Jonasson
CARRIED