On September 18, 2009, the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs jointly announced new rules and guidelines for applying non-agricultural source materials (NASM) to farmland. Changes to the management of non-agricultural source materials are designed to strengthen the rules and remove overlapping approval processes for farmers and generators of NASM.
The new rules establish consistent standards and requirements across the province which focus on the quality of the material being land-applied, ensuring it meets strict criteria and is beneficial to the soil. The revised regulations will cover all Ontario farms where non-agricultural source material will be applied.
NASM includes yard waste, fruit and vegetable peels, food processing waste, pulp and paper biosolids and sewage biosolids. Proper spreading of these materials on farmland returns essential nutrients to the soil to help foster new plant growth. It allows the soil to breathe and hold water, decreasing water runoff and soil erosion and increasing overall water conservation. Soils that have good organic matter content are easier to work and plant roots can find water and nutrients more easily.
- New Rules For Using Nutrients On Farms Become Law McGuinty Government Strengthens Standards That Protect Health and Environment
- Backgrounder: Regulating Biosolids
- Comparing Old and New Requirements
Regulatory and approval requirements
New requirements focus on the quality of the material being land applied, building on standards that already exist. They include greater consideration of alternatives and cover all the agricultural land where non-agricultural source material will be applied in Ontario.
The requirements are detailed in the regulation. A plain language guide to the regulatory requirements will be ready in late fall. Please check back to this web page in December.
The requirements will take effect in two stages. Stage 1 changes will take effect immediately upon filing of the regulation and consists of general requirements that establish the framework. The general requirements are needed to transition to the requirements of the new system for managing NASM which take effect at stage 2 on January 1, 2011. Transition periods are also outlined within the regulation to assist in moving from the current framework of approvals to the new requirements.
The establishment of consistent environmental standards across the province and clearly defines who is impacted and the requirements they must follow.
Compliance and enforcement
MOE’s longstanding role in ensuring environmental protection through compliance and enforcement activities continues with the new regulation. Through proactive inspections and responding to reports of pollution or other incidents, MOE will help to ensure that materials are land applied according to provincial standards.
NASM land application standards and requirements are enforceable under the NMA and if an adverse effect occurs or may occur, the EPA or the Ontario Water Resources Act may also apply.
Check back to this web page in December for more details on compliance and enforcement.
Regulatory framework
- EBR Decision Notice
- On the e-laws site, search for "O. Reg. 338/09" which amends Regulation 267/03 under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002
- On the e-laws site, search for "O. Reg. 336/09" which amends Regulation 347 under the Environmental Protection Act
- Nutrient Management Protocol
- Sampling and Analysis Protocol
- NASM Odour Guide
- Nutrient Management Tables
Other Documents
For more information on sewage biosolids.
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Last modified: September 28 2009.