Manitoba NDP Ag Critic Questions MASC Layoffs

May 15, 2020

Manitoba NDP Agriculture Critic Diljeet Brar doesn't understand why the province has decided to layoff workers at Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).

He says farmers still have a need for the service, regardless of the situation surrounding COVID-19.

"Cutting budget to a Crown corporation, it's unfortunate. It would impact the services that our producers are [using] for so many years. If you talk about insurance claims and if you relate it to COVID-19, this pandemic does not impact the weather patterns. It won't impact the harm the animals are doing to crops."

Brar says the reduction in service is just another thing for farmers to worry about.

MASC is being required to reduce its workforce expenses by 20 per cent as part of the province's effort to cut spending during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.