December 11, 2020
mbbeef.ca
E-Newsletter An update from Manitoba Beef Producers
Province Extends Public Health Orders to January 8, 2021, With Minor Adjustments (December 8, 2020 Province of Manitoba News Release) The Manitoba
government has extended public health orders from Dec. 12 until Jan. 8, 2021, as part of protecting Manitobans from COVID-19 during the holiday season, Premier Brian Pallister and Dr. Brent Roussin, Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, announced. “It is crucial that Manitobans continue to limit their close contacts and only gather with members of their immediate household in order to bend our COVID curve down and protect our most vulnerable friends, families and communities,” said Pallister. “We recognize this holiday season will be difficult and lonely for most, but the best thing we can do for our loved ones right now is to stay safe at home so that we can gather together, in-person next year.” The existing Critical (red) level restrictions have been extended by public health order, with several modifications based on feedback from public, stakeholders and enforcement officials. Changes to the public health orders include: • allowing thrift stores to open with some capacity limits, to allow access to second-hand clothing and other items; • ensuring acupuncture and manual osteopathy practices are allowed to open to align with other health services; • clarifying the operation of food banks and food hamper services; • allowing private residences to allow legal services, landlord access and access for home businesses; • encouraging safe outdoor physical activity for individuals and immediate households only by providing guidance to clarify that people not from the same household need to keep two metres of distance between them and that gathering sizes must not exceed five people; • adding school supplies as an essential item under the restrictions to retail services; • allowing drive-in events as a temporary measure subject to compliance with the restrictions, and cars must contain members from one household only and no one may leave the car while at the event; and • permitting the Winnipeg Jets to train in Manitoba in preparation for an eventual NHL decision on a 2021 playing season.
A seasonal change to the order will also be included to allow for the sale of holiday decorations such as garlands and ornaments, and religious items like menorahs and candles. “Our modelling has shown the Critical level, or red, restrictions have helped us avoid even higher case numbers right now,” said Roussin. “But our numbers are still too high and now is not the time to let up. That is why we’re extending the public health orders with some adjustments to ensure Manitobans can access the goods and services they need, and have clear direction stay safe at home before and during the holiday season.” The updated orders and the list of items deemed essential are posted on the province’s Pandemic Response System website at https://manitoba.ca/ covid19/restartmb/prs/orders/index.html#current. Manitoba has announced the Safe at Home Manitoba program to provide support to Manitobans staying home during this critical time. Organizations, businesses and artists can visit www.safeathomemb.ca for more information. Manitobans can report compliance and enforcement issues by visiting www.manitoba.ca/COVID19 and completing the reporting form, or by calling 204-945-3744 or 1-866-626-4862 (toll-free) and pressing option three on the call menu. For up-to-date information on COVID-19 in Manitoba, visit www.manitoba.ca/COVID19.
For reliable information and resources please visit:
For the latest Manitoba industry news: https://www.mbbeef.ca/news/covid-19-updates/ The Canadian Cattlemen's Association is collaborating with industry stakeholders and the Government of Canada to ensure both stable beef production and trade during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. https://www.cattle.ca/ccaresources/covid-19/
Farming has role in recycling’s future Knowing the regulations a must when feeding surplus food to livestock Comment: Farewell to 2020 What Does The Future Of Beef Ranching Look Like?
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) COVID-19 Employer Survey The Canadian Agricultural HR Council (CAHRC) would like to learn about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected your business, the supports your business needs, and your expectations for the future. We need this information to understand the impact of the pandemic on the agriculture workforce and to help ensure the agriculture industry is able to recover quickly in the coming years. Please answer the questions as best you can, based on your experiences as an employer in the agricultural sector (i.e. farm business owner/operator). The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) provides national leadership to address current and emerging issues in the agricultural workforce. On behalf of the Council, The Conference Board of Canada is conducting this survey to learn more about the effects of COVID-19 on the agriculture workforce. The survey should take up to 15 minutes to complete. For best results, please complete the survey using Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or the latest version of Internet Explorer. The deadline to complete the survey is Tuesday, January 5, 2021. Link to the survey: http://survey.conferenceboard.ca/SE/82/COVID19_Employer_Survey/ Your participation is completely confidential and voluntary. The information submitted will not be used to identify you or your business/operation directly or indirectly. If you have any questions about this survey, please contact: Robert Meyer-Robinson 613-526-3090 ext. 417 Meyer-Robinson@conferenceboard.ca For more information about the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, see: https://www.cahrcccrha.ca/
Stock Talk Webinars Reminder Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development produces free Livestock webinars- live and on demand. Manitoba Agriculture specialists and invited guests will speak to a variety of topics related to livestock feed and nutrition, marketing and production management. Register Now https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/572609 2041423487502 Please do not share your hyperlink to the webinar only one person can enter the webinar on each link. By registering, you will receive an email with the link
to the recorded webinar for viewing at a time that is more convenient to you. StockTalk webinars are also available on YouTube at: www.youtube.com/ManitobaAgriculture.
Upcoming Stock Talk webinars January 14, 2021
Nutrition Nuggets
1:00 pm
Ergot, Nitrates, Mycotoxins and Rations
February 25, 2021
Marketing Mania
1:00 pm
2021 Cattle Market update, Shrink and the Price Slide
March 18, 2021
Forage Frenzy
1:00 pm
Extended and Rotational Grazing
April 15, 2021
Forages for Cows
Forage Rejuvenation & Annual Crops
1:00 pm
Province Expands Manitoba Bridge Grant Program to Help Home-Based Businesses (December 8, 2020 Province of Manitoba News Release)
The Manitoba government is expanding its Manitoba Bridge Grant program and extending the deadline to protect more small businesses in the province impacted by current public health restrictions, Premier Brian Pallister announced. “Manitoba’s small businesses continue to make sacrifices to protect the health and safety of Manitobans and follow the restrictions under the #RestartMB Pandemic Response System,” said Pallister. “The Manitoba Bridge Grant is being expanded to help even more of our small businesses make it through this critical time and bridge to the future by covering some of their business costs and financial pressures created by public health orders.” Announced Nov. 10, the first stream of the Manitoba Bridge Grant provides $5,000 upfront to businesses, not-for-profits and charities ordered to temporarily cease operations or close locations by Manitoba COVID-19 public health orders in effect on Nov. 12. The initial intake included businesses with physical storefronts, such as restaurants, bars, recreation and sport facilities, museums, theatres and organizations such as charities, not-for-profits and faith-based organizations. As not all businesses operate a storefront, the second stream of the Manitoba Bridge Grant program, which will open its intake next week, will provide up to $5,000 in support to homebased businesses ineligible for the first round. This may include, but not be limited to, event planners, photographers, artists and tradespeople who do not operate a retail location. “While the public health restrictions are crucial to protect Manitobans and reduce our COVID-
19 cases, the impacts are being felt by businesses directly ordered to close their physical storefronts, as well as home-based businesses who have seen their market and source of income greatly reduced because of public health orders that limit gathering sizes and restrict other activities,” said Pallister. Eligible full-time businesses that were impacted by Manitoba COVID-19 public health orders in effect as of Nov. 12, 2020, or any revisions to those orders will receive a grant in the amount equal to 10 per cent of their most recent calendar year revenues, to a maximum contribution of $5,000. “There are a lot of small businesses struggling, especially with the recent shutdowns,” said Spencer Day, president, Brandon Chamber of Commerce. “This is a welcome adjustment to the program and we appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with the government to help direct funds and put plans in place to ensure our business community remains viable over both the short and long terms.” Since online intake began Nov. 16 for the Manitoba Bridge Grant program, 6,300 businesses have received $31.6 million in payments. The province has committed up to $250 million initially to protect Manitoba’s business community at this critical time in the pandemic response. This includes $100 million for the Manitoba Bridge Grant program in November and December and a potential second round of $100 million that would provide recipients with a second payment of equal value should current public health restrictions remain in place Jan. 1, 2021.
Province Expands Manitoba Bridge Grant Program to Help Home-Based Businesses (cont.)
Update re: Expanded Eligibility of Forages Used for Extended Season Grazing
The support also includes initial supporting funds of up to $50 million for business groups such as the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Winnipeg to provide a detailed plan to government on longterm recovery funding to help Manitoba businesses adapt and thrive coming out of COVID-19.
In January 2020 Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) announced that grazing forages would be made eligible for wildlife damage compensation under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program for Crop Damage. Updated information is available on MASC’s website.
The deadline for applications for both streams of the Manitoba Bridge Grant is Dec. 31. To access the application form for stream one now and for the second stream as of tomorrow, visit www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/programs/bridgegrant.html. Businesses that require assistance in completing the online form can contact Manitoba Government Inquiry at 204-945-3744 or 1-866MANITOBA (1-866-626-4862).
REMINDER
Of note regarding this aspect of the program: Compensation for Extended Grazing Forages is limited to 45% of the value of loss on swathed or baled crops or forage, and suitable standing annual crops (e.g. corn) that are intended for grazing. • Producers must have a grazing plan, and use controls (e.g. fences) to control access • Eligibility ends when livestock have access • Crop must be suitable for livestock feed For clarity, compensation is not provided for hay left standing after it could have been harvested; stockpiling or winter grazing of hay fields; and pasture. For more information visit: https://www.masc.mb.ca/ masc.nsf/program_wildlife_damage_compensation.html
Livestock Predation Prevention
Pilot Project Survey
Check your mailbox for the December issue of Cattle Country - we've tucked in an important survey aimed at reducing the risk of livestock predation on farms and ranches. All Manitoba livestock producers who return the free, postage-paid survey on or before December 21 will be entered in a draw to win a high-quality game camera or pellet barbeque. (If you didn't receive your survey please call the MBP offices at 1.800.772.0458 and we'll get one out to you.)
Statement Interim agreement a steppingstone to a meaningful Canada-U.K. trade relationship December 9, 2020 Ottawa, ON – The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) recognizes the Government of Canada’s efforts to maintain uninterrupted market access into the United Kingdom (U.K.) by pursuing an interim agreement to transition between the Comprehensive and Economic Trade Agreement (CETA) and a future Canada-U.K. free trade agreement (FTA). CCA’s highest priority is on achieving a long-term FTA with the U.K. that resolves trade barriers that continue to exist. CCA is pleased to see a commitment by both Governments to return to negotiating a full FTA within a year and encourages both Governments to do so as soon as possible. “CCA urges the Government of Canada to ensure mechanisms are in place to avoid disruptions of exports to the U.K. and to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible to work towards an ambitious FTA with the U.K, that will lead to greater economic prosperity for both our countries and farmers and ranchers,” said Bob Lowe, CCA President. A glaring inequity that remains to be resolved is that Canadian beef producers face far more hurdles to export to the U.K. than U.K. producers experience exporting to Canada. In the transitional agreement, the U.K. beef industry retains unlimited duty-free access into the Canadian market, while Canadian beef exports will be restricted to 3,279 tonnes in 2021 and 3,869 tonnes in 2022. Despite the growth of Canada’s beef exports to the EU and the U.K. in recent years, the full potential of Canada’s negotiated access under CETA has not been realized due to technical trade obstacles. CCA continues to actively engage the Government of Canada to resolve the trade limiting factors both in CETA as well as within the interim arrangement with the U.K. Canada exported 1,584 tonnes valued at $18.8 million to the U.K. in 2019 and 1,047 tonnes valued at $12.9 million from January to September 2020. However, Canada imported 2,962 tonnes valued at $15.8 million from the U.K. in 2019 and 4,126 tonnes valued at $24 million from January to September 2020. Using beef trade data from Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, the overall Canada-EU beef trade deficit (including the U.K.) was $0.5 million in 2018, $17.3 million in 2019 and an astounding $74.5 million for the first nine months of 2020.
The CCA is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 55,000 beef farms and feedlots. Visit www.cattle.ca
"We are concerned with how beef trade with the EU has progressed and as such will be closely watching the trade relationship with the U.K. develop,” stated Lowe. “It is imperative that the beef industries in Canada and the U.K. can equally benefit from and grow this relationship and that will be our focus for the future trade agreements.” For further information, contact: Michelle McMullen Communications Manager Canadian Cattlemen’s Association 403-451-0931| mcmullenm@cattle.ca
The CCA is the national voice for Canada’s beef cattle industry representing 55,000 beef farms and feedlots. Visit www.cattle.ca
Government Expands Canada Emergency Business Account Loans (December 4, 2020 Department of Finance Canada News
approved, representing over $31 billion in funds.
Release) Small businesses continue to face
challenges and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and the government is providing support to ensure they can stay in business.
•
Launched on April 9, 2020, CEBA provided a $40,000, zero-interest, partially forgivable loan to small businesses that experienced diminished revenues due to COVID-19 and faced ongoing non-deferrable costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, taxes and employment costs. By assisting these businesses in servicing their nondeferrable costs, CEBA is intended to facilitate the post-COVID resumption of normal business operations.
•
Since its launch, the government has made modifications to CEBA to help even more small businesses, including:
Since the spring, the Canada Emergency Business Account has helped almost 800,000 small businesses and not-for-profits in Canada. The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, announced the expansion of the Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA). Starting on Friday, December 4, 2020, eligible businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are able to access a second CEBA loan of up to $20,000 – on top of the initial $40,000 that was available to small businesses.
o
increasing the payroll eligibility range to between $20,000 and $1.5 million;
o
making CEBA available to owner-operated small businesses that do not have a payroll, sole proprietors receiving business income directly as well as family-owned corporations remunerating in the form of dividends rather than payroll;
o
making CEBA available to businesses operating from a personal banking account that had previously been unable to apply due to not operating from a business banking account; and
o
as of Friday, December 4, 2020, making available an additional $20,000 CEBA loan, for eligible
Half of this additional financing, up to $10,000, will be forgivable if the loan is repaid by December 31, 2022. This means the additional loan effectively increases CEBA loans from the existing $40,000 to $60,000 for eligible businesses, of which a total of $20,000 will be forgiven if the balance of the loan is repaid on time. As announced in the Fall Economic Statement, the application deadline for CEBA has also been extended to March 31, 2021. To apply, eligible businesses and not-for-profits need to contact the financial institution that provided their initial CEBA loan and provide the appropriate information and documentation. Quick facts •
As of December 1, 2020, more than 793,000 CEBA loans have been
businesses facing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. •
•
The additional $20,000 CEBA loan may not be available at all participating financial institutions on December 4, but is expected to be available soon. To qualify for CEBA, all applicants must have: o
An active Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number with an effective date of registration on or prior to March 1, 2020;
o
meet the payroll eligibility criteria; or
o
demonstrate a minimum of $40,000 in eligible nondeferrable expenses, and have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.
and either:
•
CEBA is administered by Export Development Canada (EDC), which is working closely with Canadian financial institutions to deliver the loans to their existing business banking customers. The CEBA Call Centre can be reached at 1-888-324-4201 between Monday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
•
CEBA is part of the government’s comprehensive support for small businesses, which also includes: o
The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, which the Fall Economic Statement proposes to raise the maximum base subsidy of to 75 per cent;
o
The Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, which provides rent or
commercial mortgage support up to 65 per cent directly to businesses that have been affected by COVID-19; and o
New Lockdown Support, which provides a rent subsidy of 25 per cent to businesses that have to significantly restrict their activities as a result of a public health order.
NEWS RELEASE Cargill’s Guelph Beef Processing Facility now sourcing beef from Certified Sustainable farms and ranches across Canada FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 8, 2020, Guelph, ON – Expansion of Cargill’s implementation of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB)’s Certified Sustainable Beef Framework is now a reality. In addition to its CRSB sustainability certification, the Guelph beef processing facility has also completed a successful audit to the CRSB’s Chain of Custody requirements. With this additional building block in place, Cargill is now poised to actively source beef from CRSB Certified Sustainable beef operations across Canada for both its High River and Guelph facilities. This expansion allows Cargill to deliver on sustainability claims for its Canadian retail and foodservice partners nationally. This also means that Cargill is awarding financial credits for cattle that qualify at both High River and Guelph facilities, rewarding those producers who have had their sustainable practices verified as meeting CRSB requirements. Through these financial incentives, Cargill and its customer partners are thanking these producers for doing their part to raise animals and care for their beef operations according to CRSB’s standards, across all five principles of beef sustainability: natural resources; people and community; animal health and welfare; food, and efficiency and innovation. “As demand for protein continues to rise, we’re excited to be able to expand our sustainable beef supply chain to help feed a growing population while supporting a healthy ecosystem,” said Matt Gibney, General Manager at the Cargill Guelph facility “Together, we can scale, share and support the good conservation practices that allow farmers and ranchers to prosper.” “CRSB appreciates the dedication of Cargill to beef sustainability in Canada, putting into action the requirements of our Certified Sustainable Beef Framework, while at the same time, rewarding producers across Canada for their on-going sustainability efforts. The expansion of sourcing to eastern Canada is an important step in our beef sustainability journey,” says Anne Wasko, Chair of the CRSB and rancher from Eastend SK. “As a beef producer myself, this is a strong signal of the demand for showing the sustainable practices we already have in place on farms and ranches across Canada, and to share that story with the world.” Sustainability is an ever-evolving journey, with continuous improvement at its core. Learn more about Cargill’s Beef Sustainability objectives and sourcing opportunities (cargillsustainablebeef.ca) and the CRSB’s certification program (crsbcertified.ca). - 30 – NEWS RELEASE: Cargill sustainable beef sourcing expands to include Guelph processing facility
1
ABOUT CARGILL Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, we connect farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive. We combine 155 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Sideby-side, we are building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.
ABOUT THE CRSB Established in 2014, the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder initiative focused on advancing environmental, social and economic sustainability in the Canadian beef industry. The CRSB drives recognition and continuous progress in beef sustainability through sustainability benchmarking, setting strategic goals, and communicating on-the-ground continuous improvement. CRSB’s Certified Sustainable Beef Framework was developed as a tool to recognize sustainable practices in beef production and processing through on-site 3rd party certification, support sustainable sourcing commitments for the retail and foodservice industry, and provide credible, science-based claims about sustainable beef production in Canada. Learn more at crsb.ca.
QUOTES Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) is proud to provide the certification services for all beef producers across Canada, that enable their participation in programs like Cargill’s sustainable sourcing. VBP+ applauds the commitment of Cargill to enable producers to benefit from the sustainable practices they employ every day and for retailers, restaurants and consumers to feel good about making beef part of their diet. We encourage producers looking to join the program to reach out to their provincial coordinators.” ~ Cecilie Fleming, Chair of the VBP+ Management Committee and VBP+ producer from Granum, Alberta.
NEWS RELEASE: Cargill sustainable beef sourcing expands to include Guelph processing facility
2
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What does Guelph’s chain of custody audit mean for eastern Canadian beef producers? This means that cattle processed at both the High River and the Guelph Cargill facilities, after moving through CRSB Certified farms and ranches at every step of the supply chain, are eligible to support customer sustainable sourcing commitments, and to benefit from Cargill’s financial credits. As a beef producer, how do I get my farm or ranch certified? 1. Ensure you are meeting all the requirements of the Sustainable Beef Production Standard. 2. Contact one of the CRSB’s Certification Bodies to arrange a certification audit. You may wish to know that Verified Beef Production Plus has established equivalency with the CRSB standard; therefore, if you are already VBP+ certified you qualify to participate through a single, streamlined process. Can I make a claim about the sustainability of my ranch/farm? Can I use the CRSB logo? YES! As a Certified Sustainable (audited) farm or ranch, may use the CRSB Certified mark and a CRSB-approved claim to promote the sustainability of your operation. NOTE: In order to direct market or label your beef as certified sustainable, you must use a certified processor, and ensure that your supply chain is audited to CRSB’s Chain of Custody requirements. Contact us for information. Entering into a licensing agreement with the CRSB is also required. How do I benefit from financial credits from Cargill? Ensure that your cattle are tracked through the supply chain. Register for TrustBIX, ensuring your contact information is up to date, and authorize your Certification Body and TrustBIX to include your cattle’s data in anonymous aggregated reporting. When buying/selling cattle, provide the cattle movement information, including ageverification and move-in reporting; this is required to determine your qualification and enable credit payments for qualifying cattle post-harvest. For questions regarding cattle qualification or other aspects of Cargill’s sustainable sourcing program, leverage one of the resources available at CargillSustainableBeef.ca.
NEWS RELEASE: Cargill sustainable beef sourcing expands to include Guelph processing facility
3
How do I make sure that my cattle qualify all the way through the supply chain? While it is not always possible for beef producers to control where their cattle are sold further down the supply chain, ensuring that cattle are marketed as CRSB Certified will go a long way. Be sure to include your certificate number when marketing cattle. Direct marketing your cattle to a known Certified Operation at the next point in the chain is another great tool. As a retailer or foodservice company, how do I participate in Cargill’s sustainable sourcing opportunities? For more information on how to source beef from CRSB Certified farms and ranches through Cargill, reach out to your Cargill sales contact or Jeff Fitzpatrick-Stilwell. Will this expansion mean expanded volume to enable more retailers and restaurants to source sustainable beef? Yes, the qualification of cattle processed at our Guelph facility will make additional volume available for more sourcing opportunities, or for existing customers to expand their volume.
NEWS RELEASE: Cargill sustainable beef sourcing expands to include Guelph processing facility
4
Cleanfarms - Stewardship Program Plan for Agricultural Plastics - Now Available For Public Comment (Source: Cleanfarms Website) Cleanfarms is
conducting consultations at the request of Manitoba Conservation and Climate, to help the province evaluate transitioning the government-funded ag plastics pilot projects into a permanent, industry-funded stewardship program. The Manitoba Ag Plastic Plan (MAPP) is now available for comment. See: https://cleanfarms.ca/manitobaconsultation/#toggle-id-1 We invite stakeholders to review the draft plan (version 01) and provide written comments to Cleanfarms before January 12, 2021. This plan was developed based on data collected through multi-year, governmentfunded pilot projects that took place in Manitoba and best practices in agricultural plastics recycling. The plan also prioritizes harmonization with initiatives underway across the Prairies. Throughout winter 2020/2021, Cleanfarms is engaging with producer groups, industry and municipal associations to get feedback on the plan. Individual producers and Manitobans are welcome to provide feedback as well.
program will allow farmers to recycle grain bags and twine during Phase 1. •
Phase 1 excludes materials like silage/bale film and netting because recycling markets are not currently available for them.
•
Approval of MAPP in March 2021 to allow sufficient transition time.
•
Launch of the Environmental Handling Fee associated with MAPP in December 2021.
MAPP will be fully financed through an Environmental Handling Fee (EHF) collected and remitted to Cleanfarms by companies that supply producers with grain bags and twine. Preliminary estimates are in the $250/tonne range for grain bags and $330/tonne range for twine. For more information, please visit the MAPP. Seeking your feedback Cleanfarms welcomes feedback on all aspects of the plan. We are specifically interested in input on the following: •
Selection of designated materials (ag plastics to be included in the industryfunded program) Criteria and processes to expand designated materials
•
Timelines
•
Best practices to increase program participation
Summary of the MAPP recommendations The MAPP recommends: •
A phased-in approach to a permanent, industry-funded stewardship program targeting ag-plastics that can be recycled at this time. This means that the permanent, industry-funded
Please email your feedback by or before January 12, 2021 to Kim Timmer
[Type here] MAPP Consultation The government-funded agricultural plastics recycling pilots have been in place since 2013. In 2018 the Manitoba government asked Cleanfarms to develop a plan to transition the pilots. The following is a summary of the work completed since then and plans for early 2021. 2018 – 2019 – Completed •
Preliminary discussions with producer groups (late 2018) to inform stakeholders about learnings from the pilot projects, key challenges faced (limited recycling markets) and the benefits and financial implications of a permanent, industry-funded stewardship program
•
Completed an ag waste study to estimate the volume of ag plastics used on Manitoba farms. This data is used to estimate program costs and establish targets
•
Fielded a producer survey (2019); producers weighed in on key aspects of the program and provided input to help assess existing pilot projects
•
Pilot projects continued throughout the province (2018-2019) with a focus on increasing producer accessibility to collection sites (which is key to participation) and to continue to evaluate the availability of recycling markets. Manitoba farmers turned in 51 tonnes of ag plastics in 2019, surpassing the 34 tonnes that was collected in 2018
Fall/winter 2020 •
Pilot projects continue
•
Development of The Manitoba Ag Plastic Plan (MAPP)
•
Consultations on MAPP, delayed due to COVID-19, restarted in the fall of 2020
•
Consultations took place online/remotely and focused on engaging producer groups, collection sites, municipalities and key government officials
Winter 2021 •
Consultations with key stakeholders will continue
•
Feedback received before January 12, 2021 will be incorporated into the next draft of the MAPP which will be submitted to Manitoba Conservation and Climate Change on January 30, 2021
•
Development of a plan to transition existing collection sites to the MAPP collection criteria (targets grain bags and twine for collection only)
Spring 2021 & beyond Once Cleanfarms receives approval of the MAPP, the transition process will proceed. This will include: •
steward education, outreach and onboarding
•
promotion and education to producers/farmers
•
collection site recruitment & signing of agreements
•
further roll out of MAPP
For more information: Please email timmerk@cleanfarms.ca