As part of Red Tape Awareness Week, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced Wednesday at KAP's annual meeting that the province will remove unnecessary regulatory requirements on the construction of farm buildings.

The current Manitoba Farm Building Code will be repealed and an amendment will be made to the Manitoba building code to add specific provisions for farm buildings.

“Our government is listening to Manitoba’s farm families and other stakeholders, who have clearly shown how the current code for farm buildings is impractical and costly,” said Eichler.  “Instead, we will be moving forward with common-sense amendments to the Manitoba Building Code that more closely align with other Western Canadian jurisdictions to ensure appropriate protective measures are in place that also reflect the unique issues related to farm buildings and the farming industry.”

The minister noted this approach will reduce the red tape burden on those planning to build new farm buildings, while still ensuring appropriate rules will be in place related to occupant safety and fire prevention.

“KAP is extremely pleased with this announcement because it will result in a renewal of the livestock industry, allowing producers to build new barns and modernize existing ones,” said Dan Mazier, president, Keystone Agricultural Producers.  “We will now become more competitive with producers in other jurisdictions, where building costs for barns are lower because they don’t have this excess regulation.  We look forward to working with the province, not only to reduce costs, but also to ensure the safety of farmers, employees and animals.”

The building code requirements will apply to all farm buildings over 600 square metres.

The Manitoba Farm Building Code would be repealed once the new provisions for farm buildings come into effect.