Environmental regulations in the hog farming sector: A comparison of Catalonia, Spain and Manitoba, Canada

This article examines the governance structures for managing the location and operation of Intensive Livestock Farming Operations (ILFOs). The article focuses on the hog sector and compares two very different jurisdictions: Manitoba, Canada and Catalonia, Spain. Both are regions that have witnessed recent increases in hog production, including increasing spatial concentration of ILFOs and an increase in size of those ILFOs. Policy has both fostered and sought to manage the increased production. The paper draws on the literature on regulatory regimes, environmental regulation, and political economy to frame the comparative case studies of the impacts of environmental regulations on hog production. Following a brief background description of restructuring, the changing legislative frameworks for Manitoba and Catalonia are described. The paper concludes that environmental policy in Manitoba and Catalonia has been more successful in managing overall production (e.g., manure management, and location of operations) than in limiting total production.

► The paper investigates environmental regulations in the hog farming sector. ► A comparative analysis is conducted between Manitoba, Canada and Catalonia, Spain. ► Regulations at various levels of government are examined. ► Legislation focuses on manure management and restrictions on hog barn location. ► The paper concludes that regulations have managed but not limited total production.