E-Newsletter dsfsfa An update from MBP June 2, 2023
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Manitoba Government Seeks Public Feedback on Changes to Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation (June 2, 2023 Province of Manitoba Media Release) The
Manitoba government is asking for public feedback on proposed changes to the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation that would support improving forage productivity, growing the livestock industry, and advancing sustainability, Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson announced today. “Agricultural Crown lands are used by approximately 1,750 forage leaseholders on 10,750 leased land parcels, primarily for grazing and haying, supporting nearly 90,000 cattle for the grazing season,” said Johnson. “The Agricultural Crown Lands Program supports sustainable expansion of livestock herds, contributes to ecological goods and services, and provides mitigation and adaptation to climate change. In particular, many Indigenous Peoples use these lands for traditional purposes and to exercise treaty rights.” Manitoba agricultural Crown lands (ACL) are parcels of land vested to Manitoba that the government leases to producers for agricultural use, including grazing, haying or annual cropping. Agricultural Crown lands are important public assets economically, environmentally and socially.
Agriculturally, these Crown lands are essential to supporting and growing the livestock industry in Manitoba, and provide mitigation and adaptation to climate change, the minister noted. The Manitoba government began modernizing the ACL program in 2017 in order to strengthen the livestock industry, enhance productivity, and encourage growth. The revamped ACL program also aims to increase access for young, new and Indigenous farmers. In 2019, the ACL program was updated significantly to enable ACL leases to be allocated by auction and to set rents at market-based rates. Lease terms were set at 15 years and the ability to transfer a lease with the sale of private property was eliminated. The new proposed amendments to the ACL Leases and Permits Regulation include: • reducing forage lease rents over the next several years to help producers recover from drought and flood conditions in recent seasons;