The Advantage May 2019

WASTE
A 10-year inquiry into the cascading effects of nitrate
pollution in the Hullcar Aquifer near Armstrong has
resulted in the province introducing new regulations
on agricultural waste management and nutrient
applications. On February 28 the Code of Practice
for Agricultural Environmental Management replaced
the AWCR policy that had been in place. Though
a 10-year phase-in plan has the new rules being
implemented in vulnerable aquifer recharge areas
first, much of the Fraser Valley and Okanagan must
meet the new requirements as early as July 15, 2020.
The few remaining zones have until July 15, 2021.
Inspectors under the Environmental Management
Act will be enforcing compliance.
As environmental stewards, most farmers are already
very conscientious about waste management. It’s not
a secret that high levels of nitrates in the water table
are problematic, they pose health concerns and are
particularly dangerous to nursing mothers, babies
and toddlers. Exposure results in an increased risk
of developing stomach cancer in those exposed to
above normal levels.
There are some changes and clarifications to
proper waste storage. New rules make the steps
needed to avoid runoff clearer. Open field storage
and composting piles must now be covered from
October 1 to April 1. Holding piles must not be placed
over coarse textured soil. Liquid manure must be
stored in a permanent storage structure, designed
by a qualified professional. Existing earthen manure
storage areas must be assessed for leakage.
Some changes to when and how nutrients can be
applied are also now codified, application of nutrients
must not happen during the period of November 1 to
February 1, nutrients must also not be applied during
February, March, or October unless they need to be
made available to the intended crop.
The Code of Practice will have farms that are over
5 hectares develop Nutrient Management Plans.
NMP’s will be based on post-harvest nitrate test
results. If your soil tests for greater than 100Kg N/
ha, or phosphorus test results ≥200 ppm an NMP will
need to be developed. Many farmers already have a
comprehensive NMP because of the value they add
in fostering good production. The B.C. government
has a Nutrient Management Calculator available
online at https://nmp.apps.nrs.gov.bc.ca/. If you’ve
never put together a NMP you may want to seek the
help of a Soil Specialist.
As regulations tighten and provincial inspections
rise, record keeping will become more essential to
the farmer. In order to protect yourself from future
litigation we recommend going above and beyond
the base requirements. One of the major advantages
of the precision farming technologies being offered
today is their ability to accurately record what has
been applied. The computer systems can then send
this data from your tractor to a computer which
makes compiling records an easy task.
During development of your farms policies and
procedures be mindful of the public perception of
environmental issues, proactively working with your
MLA’s and keeping an eye on upcoming laws will
help prevent future issues.
6