The Nutrient Management Act was designed to reduce the potential for contamination of water and other natural resources by some agricultural practices. The act requires that Ontario's farm practices use nutrients wisely so that nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium can provide economic benefit with minimal impact on the environment.
The Nutrient Management Act establishes the framework for best practices in nutrient management (particularly in managing manure) and creates standards which give best management practices the force of law. The act also provides standards for how nutrients are stored and how nutrients are applied to farmland, so that the likelihood of ground or surface water contamination can be reduced.
