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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 2003-04-02, Page 21THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2003. PAGE 21. Johns holds teleconference on NM Act By Janice Becker Citizen staff In a continuing effort to educate and inform farmers and non-farmers alike with regards to the impending implementation of the new Nutrient Management Act (NMA), provincial Minster of Agriculture and Food and Huron-Bruce MPP, Helen Johns invited several media representatives from Southwestern Ontario to participate in a telephone conference call Monday morning. Reiterating an announcement made just over a week ago, Johns outlined how changes to the NMA would impact farmers, rural residents and others. “After consultations with the agricultural sector, the government realized some of the first regulations were almost impossible to implement. We needed more up-to- date science specific to each industry.” While new and expanding operations of over 300 animals units will have to work under provincial legislation as of July l, smaller operations will not have to comply until 2005 and others will opt in as an advisory committee currently being set up, recommends. “We want to make sure the conditions are right. We want to review the regulations, and look at the new science (available) at that time.” Johns also stated that cost-sharing funding would be in place before any smaller operations had to comply with the new standards. She said this was necessary because those operations were being asked to incur additional costs when the operation had not changed. No numbers on the cost to aid with compliance were given. Johns said these would continue to change as new and innovative technologies became available because the timeline stretched over many years. Johns said while she is open to new technology, “there has to be a cost benefit in the long term. We will not support it forever.” Monies set aside in last year’s budget will be used for enforcement. The advisory committee, which will consist of environmental and water quality specialists, farmers and farm group representatives, rural municipal representatives and technical people, will deal with all emerging issues related to the NMA. Some of these will include restrictions on siting and conditions, outdoor feeding lots, manure storage and the decommissioning of storage facilities, tile drainage, soil characteristics, odour and winter spreading. The committee will be working with municipalities over the next five years to bring them into compliance with regards to septage, biosolid and sludge disposal. OMAF will be responsible for educating farmers and residents with regards to the NMA. Representatives will inspect farms, helping farmers understand what is required to meet the new standards and work with them to get into compliance, said Johns. The Ministry of the Environment will enforce the act for those in non- compliance. Johns stressed that the agriculture ministry will continue to work with farm groups to “get the act right, based on science. There is no doubt the regulations will change as the science and technology changes.” The government is also working to limit the amount of paperwork required for smaller operations in Class 1 and 2. Implementation of the NMA will also make the “rural community more comfortable that we are careful about the environment and water courses,” added Johns. “There are standards that will have to be met.” Asked when a cost-sharing scheme planned for the 2005 compliance groups might be in place, Johns said farm groups are currently working on proposals and she hopes to be in discussions within six months. Though there are currently no procedures in place for small For a spell Three East Wawanosh Grade 5 students competed at the spelling bee held at Sacred Heart School in Wingham on Saturday. From left: Greg Dodds, Jamie Guy, Ashley Casemore. Four schools took part in the event, Milday Public School, Mildmay Carrick School, Sacred Head and EWPS. The three winners were from Mildmay. (Vicky Bremner ) operators wishing to fall under provincial legislation prior to the 2005 timeline when funding would be available, Johns said a groundswell of support for voluntary compliance could get things going. With implementation coming by July 1 for the largest operations, Johns expects the first few to be a little slow going through the process, but is confident there will be staff and resources in place to complete the task. She believes there are about 500 new or expanding facilities which will have to meet the new requirements this summer. Noting that there will always be groups that believe the regulations too restrictive or not strict enough, Johns said the government has to find the balance with environmental awareness while not creating a burden for farmers. “The goal is to bring about a science-based (act) that keeps harmony in rural Ontario. We need all sides on board for balance.” Johns hopes all the legal work on the NMA will be completed within 40 days so that an English version can be posted on the ministry’s website. Business - COMPLETE MECHANICAL SERVICE - COMPUTERIZED TUNE-UPS - TIRES - BRAKES MUFFLERS - VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION DAN'S AUTO REPAIR Owned and Operated by Dan & Heather Snell RR 3, Blyth, Ont. NOM 1HO (on the Westfield Rd.) DAN SNELL, Automotive Technician 523-4356 ''Frank Workman) Electric 20 years. serving Brussels & area •Farm *Home •Commercial R.R. #3. 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