Agricultural Legislation in Ontario: Part 1

The Nutrient Management Act of 2002 (NMA) is a key landmark legislation in Ontario that helps to consolidate and simplify previous legislation (both federal and provincial) and directs activities relating to the environmental safety of waterways as well as surface and ground waters. (important changes to the assistantship programme can be found here, and more information can be found at the website for the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association)

The overlying principle of the NMA was to control agricultural runoff, which included manure, pesticides/herbicides, fertilizer (including hydroponic nutrient solutions), and other materials that potentially contribute to environmental pollution. The NMA is based on solid scientific research that demonstrates the harmful effects of agricultural runoff on fish and other aquatic life, land/aquatic plants and microbial diversity. In fact, by adhering to the NMA, farmers potentially reduce problems in their crops. Changes in microbial diversity is a key contributor to increasing disease and reducing crop productivity in the long term.

Although the NMA is solidly in place, Ontario has proposed a Clean Water Act (CWA) in 2005. Already, some issues have been identified by Ontario Pork which can be read in their report here. These valid concerns can be broadly applied to other agricultural operations including fields and greenhouses.