New guidelines for manure management adopted by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry and the Department of Technology and Environment will lead to more sustainable production practices. The guidelines are the result of more than 14 months of extensive consultations between the two departments and representatives of the livestock industry, along with a number of public meetings. They replace existing guidelines which have been in effect since 1986, and reflect increased size of livestock operations and industry and public concerns about environmental protection.
One of the major components of the new guidelines is the establishment of a minimum separation distance between livestock facilities and other non-farm land uses. All new livestock operations must comply with the new separation distances. They do not apply to expanding operations, but those operations must comply with all other requirements of the guidelines and other relevant land use and environmental protection legislation. Variations in separation distances are possible depending on the nature and location of odour sources or agreement with neighbouring residents and businesses.
The guidelines recommend that producers undertaking commercial livestock development projects notify residences and businesses within a radius of one kilometer in the surrounding community.
Other major provisions of the new guidelines establish new standards for the construction and location of manure storage facilities, measures to prevent runoff to watercourses and recommended practices for the application of manure to minimize odours and increase its effectiveness as a crop nutrient.
"The new guidelines are based on the principle that Prince Edward Island is an agricultural province and that livestock operations have a right to establish, operate and expand in accordance with reasonable, economically acceptable and environmentally sustainable management practices," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill. "I want to thank the agriculture industry, other interested groups and the public for their invaluable input to the development of the new guidelines which provide a clear direction for recommended manure management practices."
Mr. Hammill said the new guidelines will encourage "best practices" in the storage and utilization of manure and will hopefully lead to improved relations between livestock producers and their neighbours. "The adoption of the new guidelines is a further step forward in our efforts to become a leader in high quality, sustainable production practices," he said.
The adoption of new manure management guidelines was discussed in the report of the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship.
Technology and Environment Minister Mitch Murphy said both government and the livestock industry are concerned about nuisance odours and the water pollution potential associated with the storage and utilization of manure. "The guidelines provide the necessary information to the general public and officials for the evaluation of livestock operations for their potential effects on the environment and surrounding land uses," said Mr. Murphy. "At the same time, they provide a standard which may be used in determining normal and acceptable farming practices and will assist producers in their efforts to prevent pollution and minimize odours."
Mr. Hammill said that one area of concern expressed by the farming community - that of encroachment of non-farm residences and businesses on farming operations - could not be addressed in the guidelines. Ministers Hammill and Murphy have agreed that this issue must be dealt with through other legislation and regulations as a priority.
The new guidelines are effective January 7, 1999.