The Rural Voice, 2003-07, Page 47Advice
Where Nutrient Management Act stands
As a result of input from
stakeholders on draft regulations
under the Nutrient Management Act,
several changes are being proposed
to the government's approach to
nutrient management in the province.
Following are some of the
proposed changes regarding the
implementation of the regulations:
• Making July 1, 2003 the
implementation date of the proposed
regulations for all new livestock
farms and those expanding into and
within the large category (more than
300 Nutrient Units). A nutrient unit
is the amount of manure that gives
the fertilizer replacement value of the
lower of 43 kg (95 pounds) of
nitrogen or 55 kg (121 pounds) of
phosphate.
• Making 2003 the implementation
date for existing large livestock
farms (more than 300 Nutrient
Units).
• Setting up a provincial advisory
committee. It would provide
recommendations to the government
regarding nutrient management
issues. The committee would include
farmers, environmental scientists,
municipal representatives and others.
• Tying the implementation dates of
any future regulations, other than for
new and expanding livestock farms,
to the availability of cost -shared
funding.
• A protocol would be established
whereby the Ministry of the
Environment would have the ultimate
authority to ensure compliance with
the regulations through investigations
and enforcement.
• The Ministry of Agriculture and
Food would be the first point of
contact for on-farm nutrient
management issues, including
monitoring.
The OMAF Livestock Technology
Resource Team has produced 16
commodity -specific information
sheets to help clients understand
where they fit with regards to
nutrient units on their farm
operations. The info sheets are titled
"How Many Nutrient Units Do I
Have" and cover most commodities.
The Info Sheets are available by
phoning the OMAF Information
Contact Centre 1-877-424-1300.
They will soon be posted on the web
at www.gov.on.ca/omaf/english.
Choose Agriculture, then Livestock
and then Nutrient Management.°
The Rural Voice
welcomes your opinions for
our Feedback letters to the
editor column.
Mail to: The Rural Voice,
PO Box 429, Blyth, ON NOM 1 H0
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JULY 2003 43