If the introduction of the regulations is too long postponed there may well be a change of Agriculture minister or government. Minister Johns has shown willingness to discuss the regulations with the agricultural community and I believe that we will see substantial changes in the second draft.

If the introduction is postponed it is very likely that the Municipalities will move further into the field of Nutrient Management. Municipalities can be more easily swayed by local interest groups and are less knowledgeable than the Province on nutrient management issues. The separate commodity groups do not have the time to have input into each individual Nutrient Management By-Law, so there is less chance of a balanced approach. There is also the danger of municipalities crafting their By-Laws to reflect a Not In My Back Yard philosophy towards livestock agriculture. There is a strong possibility that Municipalities may enter into areas of regulation, such as odour management that they have so far on the whole avoided.

If the introduction is postponed the same staff at OMAF is likely to be drafting the new regulation, so substantial changes are unlikely.

The sheep, beef, and pork industries have submitted a joint paper to the Environmental Bill of Rights registry, which gives a detailed analysis of our position. That paper highlights the areas where we can support the regulations, where some small changes would be desirable and the areas of disagreement. OSMA welcomes the Short Version of the Nutrient Management Plan that is available to category I and II farms, though there is a need to clarify how much supporting documentation will be required. Once farmers understand the Short Version it may alleviate some of the concerns about paper overload. OSMA is happy to see odour included in the regulations, as this should remove it from municipal jurisdiction.

OSMA recommends that some of the more contentious issues be postponed until the third stage of the regulations and turned over to a technical review committee. The technical review committee, which must include producers, would look at these issues from the “necessary, reasonable, and affordable” criteria put forward by OFEC. The most contentious for the sheep industry is the depth to bedrock in seasonal confinement areas. Days of temporary storage allowed also requires further discussion. There have been ongoing consultations with the Ministry over other issues and we hope to see the changes discussed reflected in the next draft of the regulations.

There is widespread fear in the agricultural community that farmers will be driven out of business by the financial requirements of these regulations. OSMA would therefore like to see a commitment from the Ministry not to implement these regulations until the funding is available to carry out the required upgrades.

There is widespread fear in the agricultural community that farmers will be driven out of business by the financial requirements of these regulations. OSMA would therefore like to see a commitment from the Ministry not to implement these regulations until the funding is available to carry out the required upgrades.

There is also widespread concern that the first problem with a farmer’s Nutrient Management Plan will lead to the Ministry of the Environment laying charges and levying fines. The regulations are complicated and sometimes confusing. OSMA believes that the first contact, either with MOE, or OMAF, should be an advisory visit. Charges should only be considered where a farmer refuses to correct an error.

SMA will continue to support the Ministry’s effort to introduce necessary, reasonable, and affordable regulations.

Federal Funding Supports Environmental Initiatives On Sheep and Beef Farms

December 27, 2001 (Guelph, ON) Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) have received $150,000 in funding from the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative to support environmental projects on farm.

This program will support approximately 25 on farm projects across Ontario that promote environmental best management practices (BMP). Up to $5,000 for a BMP relating to improving water quality on farm will be available to each of 25 producers for material and contracting costs to assist in implementation of BMP. A prerequisite is that producers must have completed an Environmental Farm Plan deemed appropriate through the peer review process to be eligible for this program.

The project is being delivered for OSMA & OCA by the Ontario Soil & Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). OSCIA has been instrumental in development and delivery of Ontario’s Environmental Farm Plan, the American Chestnut recovery program, as well as leading a study to determine wildlife impact on Ontario agriculture. Chris Kennedy, OSMA’s vice chair and representative on environmental issues is thrilled with the partnership between the three organizations in delivering this project. "This program will assist Ontario producers to implement a variety of site-specific projects benefitting groundwater, surface water, and soil health" says Kennedy.

A selection committee made up of representatives of the OCA & OSMA, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs, conservation authorities and others involved in environmental protection will approve applications. Decisions by the selection committee will be based on strength of information provided in written submission by the producer and take into consideration effectiveness of the project including cost-effectiveness, landowner contribution, geographic location and variety of BMP’s demonstrated.

Promotional packages are currently available through your local Environmental Farm Plan representative. To find out who your local rep is, contact OSCIA at 1-800-265-9751. All eligible work must be initiated after November 1st 2001 and compensation claimed before October 31, 2002.

The Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative is a program administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council and funded through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development fund.

For more information contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency
Phone: 519-836-0043 Fax: 519-836-2531
manager@ontariosheep.org

Mike McMorris, Assistant Manager Ontario Cattlemen’s Association
Phone: 519-824-0334 Fax: 519-824-9101
mike@cattle.guelph.on.ca

Federal Funds Injected Into The Environment

June 4, 2002 (Guelph, Ontario) - Just in time for Environment Week, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency and Ontario Cattlemen’s Association announced that 25 demonstration projects will be underway over the summer thanks to funds from the federal government.

&"A wide range of environmental activities will be taking place on provincial beef and sheep farms" says John Hemsted, Chair of the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency. "Efforts to develop buffer strips along water courses, establish wind powered generators and solar powered watering facilities are just a few of the innovative ideas submitted by farmers."

Funding for these initiatives has been provided by the Agricultural Environmental Stewardship Initiative - a program funded through the Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development Fund. The purpose of the program coordinated by the two livestock organizations is to protect surface and groundwater through implementation of best management practices. Up to $5,000 is available to each of the 25 selected land owners to complete their project.

"We are extremely pleased with the response to the program" reports Mike McMorris, Executive Vice President of the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association (OCA.) "Although we were only able to fund 25 of the 46 applications due to limited funding, this demonstrates firm commitment by Ontario’s livestock producers to the environment, and particularly to water quality." McMorris reports the timing of the project approvals is ideal as it words towards demonstrating many of the techniques outlined in a publication entitled Best Management Practices for Buffer Strips on Farm, due out this fall.

OCA and OSMA are producer-run organizations representing 24,000 + beef and sheep producers in the province of Ontario.

For more information contact:
Cathy Lennon, General Manager Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency
Phone: 519-836-0043 Fax: 519-836-2531
manager@ontariosheep.org

Mike McMorris, Assistant Manager Ontario Cattlemen’s Association
Phone: 519-824-0334 Fax: 519-824-9101
mike@cattle.guelph.on.ca

Beef and Sheep Demonstration Sites

This link will take you to a map of Ontario showing all the Beef and Sheep demonstration sites. It does take a few minutes to download.

Nutrient Management Act

On September 17, 2001, the Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency presented a brief to the Government of Ontario regarding Bill 81, the Nutrient Management Act. Review the full text (click here)