This week the province introduced new legislation that would modernize The Planning Act.

Bill 19 (The Planning Amendment Act) would give municipalities the option of setting a threshold for conditional use hearings for livestock, according to local needs.

Mike Teillet, sustainable development manager with Manitoba Pork, had these thoughts on how new barn construction or expansion would be affected by some of the changes.

"There's a couple of things here. One is that they've introduced an appeal process and that potentially could be a positive thing for a farmer. As far as the number of people that might object to a by-law amendment or a zoning amendment triggering an appeal process, [that's] something that's potentially very positive."

Teillet also welcomed the change that would allow for a 15 per cent expansion without having to go through the full blown application process. He notes there's a real buzz in the industry right now when it comes to new hog barn construction.

Manitoba Beef Producers General Manager Brian Lemon talked about how the changes might affect feedlot construction in the province.

"The delays involved in getting conditional use permits certainly has been an issue in the past," he said. "If you're trying to develop a business plan and trying to look at where to situate a feedlot or how to expand a current feedlot. A lot of times the delays that it took to get the approvals were really problematic."

Ag Minister Ralph Eichler says the proposed legislation takes a balanced approach to the livestock review and approval process that improves animal safety and maintains a high standard of environmental accountability.