In July of 2001, the Government of Alberta announced, effective January 1, 2002, its intention to create a provincial regulatory system for Alebrta’s confined feeding operation (CFOs). CFOs have been defined as fenced or enclosed areas where livestock are confined for the purpose of growing, sustaining, finishing, or breeding by means other than grazing. As a result, Alberta’s hog production will now fall under this system.

The various pieces of legislation that form the backbone of this new regulatory system have been developed by Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and will be responsible for the Alberta Operations Act and the various associated regulations and standards. Both the approval and compliance processes and requirements set out under the Act, however, will be delivered by the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NCRB). As currently envisioned this will include recieiving and reviewing applications for new or expanding CFOs, providing public hearing when unresolved concerns remain, and ensuring that ther is ongoing compliance with the conditions contained within and approvals issued.