County says feedlot tax still best approach, in spite of report
LETHBRIDGE – Lethbridge County reeve Lorne Hickey says the tax on feedlots implemented in 2016 is the best way to keep up with the demand for infrastructure maintenance.
A report from the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary argued the tax may result in some confined feeding operations closing, due to the increase in fixed costs and no way to pass it along. It suggested a usage-based fee on trucking companies, in cooperation with the province, as an alternative.
Other options it suggested are a usage-based levy on feedlots, or a levy based on the amount of feed brought in.
“We have reviewed the paper and feel that although some of the statistics have merit, there are areas that are deficient,” Hickey said in a statement. “Other than statistical information, the paper failed to take into account Lethbridge County’s input on the issue.”