Issues of Concern to NFA Members:

TORONTO - The Ontario government is introducing a new law that would set and enforce clear, consistent standards for nutrient management on farms and protect the environment, announced Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Brian Coburn today.
"We're proposing preventive measures to address the effects of agricultural operations and municipal activities and the safe and effective management of land-applied materials containing nutrients," Coburn said. "Clear requirements based on the work developed with farmers - and the best practices many farmers already use - will ensure sustainable growth, safeguard the environment and make rural Ontario attractive to economic investment."

"This proposed legislation will protect the environment with strong, new preventive measures. Highly trained Provincial Officers with a knowledge of agriculture will ensure focused and effective environmental enforcement of strong new standards," said Environment Minister Elizabeth Witmer. "We thank all the individuals, organizations and other stakeholders, who participated in the consultation process and encourage them to comment further on this proposed legislation."

Under the proposed Nutrient Management Act 2001, clear new standards will be developed for all land-applied materials containing nutrients relating to agriculture - including livestock manure, commercial fertilizer, municipal biosolids, septage and industrial pulp and paper sludge. Stakeholders and the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) will partner with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs over the summer to develop the provincial standards.

The proposed legislation would provide authority for regulations governing several areas including:

• mandatory Nutrient Management Plans (NMPs).
  
• certification of commercial land applicators of materials containing nutrients.
  
• distance requirements for manure and biosolids application near wells and waterways.
  
• banning the land application of untreated septage over a five-year period.
  
• establishing and delivering associated education, training and certification programs.
  
• establishing a database system to record land applications of materials containing nutrients, with an initial focus on biosolids and manure.
  
• establishing minimum quality and application standards for land applied nutrients.
  

The bill would provide for a framework to phase in standards over time, depending on the size of operations and the kinds of practices that are carried out.

At a minimum, the following categories would be defined:

• Large livestock operations (e.g. 450 livestock units)
  
• Smaller livestock operations
  
• Other agricultural operations (e.g. greenhouses, mushroom facilities, cash crops)
  

The proposed legislation responds to consultations conducted with municipal, farm and environmental stakeholders; is consistent with the Environmental Commissioner's report; responds to the "Managing the Environment Report"; and fits with the government's Smart Growth vision.

Contact:
Jo-Anne Farquhar Barry Wilson
OMAFRA Minister's Office MOE Minister's Office
(416) 326-6439 (416) 314-6739

Randy Jackiw Mark Rabbior
OMAFRA Resources Management MOE Communications Branch
(519) 826-3577 (416) 314-6084

 

• All Issues...

Tell us what you think. Contact us.