Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) is encouraging all agricultural Crown land (ACL) leaseholders to participate in the recently announced consultation the provincial government is undertaking about the proposed renewal process for legacy forage leases and renewable permits.
Throughout the process the provincial government has been undertaking to modernize the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program, MBP has repeatedly advocated for the first right of renewal with respect to eligible leases.
MBP continues to advocate with the Manitoba government on several other matters related to the ACL program.
Of particular concern to the group, is the size of the rental rate increase and the pace at which it is being enacted. Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, MBP had asked for a five-year transition for the rental rate increase. MBP says a longer transition period would take into account factors such as successive challenging production years which drove up feed costs for many ACL lease holders, as well as ongoing uncertainty related to the pandemic and its implications for cattle markets going forward, among other factors facing the lease holders.
Other ACL matters MBP continues to advance with the province include:
- The continued ability for producers to be able to utilize unit transfers;
- Whether there will be an opportunity for new entrants to establish their own legacy leases with their own family members;
- The right to informed access whereby those wishing to access ACL would need to notify the lease or permit holder prior to entry;
- Government recognition of the ecosystem services lease holders providing in managing ACL;
- Mechanisms to address concerns about the new process for valuing leasehold improvements; and
- Potential opportunities for interested lease holders to purchase ACL in a swifter fashion.
MBP will be making a formal submission as part of the process.
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