One size fits all | Cattlemen’s association says rules are unrealistic
British Columbia farmers are worried that proposed manure management rules will drive them out of business.
Elaine Stovin, communications manager with the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association, said changes to the Agricultural Waste Control Regulations seem to ignore the vast differences in B.C. agriculture, whether it be farming type, topography or climate.
“It seems to be a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Stovin.
“To have the same regulations for every operation, either on the coast or the dry interior, is not practical nor achievable.”
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In January, the environment ministry released proposed regulatory changes that would establish consistent standards for the management of nutrients, wastes and byproducts in agricultural operations.
Stovin said the association has no problems with updating regulations, but in an industry already struggling, it wants the government to ensure the rules are realistic.
“British Columbia has lost almost half of its cow herd in the last seven years, and the proposed regulations would eliminate a great many more,” the association wrote in a response to the proposed changes.
“The combined effects of restrictions on manure storage, field storage, confined livestock areas, wood waste storage, etc., would be devastating to our industry. The changes that would be required could easily cost mid-size ranches hundreds of thousands of dollars and are totally unrealistic.”
Under the proposed rules, a producer with more than 16 animal units per acre producing more than 30 tonnes per year of agricultural waste would be required to build a professionally designed storage facility for manure.
The storage facility must be farther than 30 metres from a watercourse, regularly maintained, tested for leakage and inspected. Corrals or feeding sites that hold animals for more than three days would be considered manure storage and would need impermeable walls or berms.
As well, grazing and confined livestock would not be permitted to have direct access to any watercourse.
Stovin said stopping animals from drinking from creeks and streams is impractical for many interior B.C. ranchers who graze their animals on large grazing leases. BCCA has asked its members to respond to the government paper and indicate how the proposed changes would affect their operations.
Charissa Hedges with the Coalition of British Columbia Farms and Ranches said the group is concerned about how the changes would dramatically increase costs to livestock producers.
“If it’s a problem in some areas, well the proposals are reasonable, but most farmers in B.C. have had a pretty tough go of it and don’t see how they can be expected to meet such standards,” said Hedges.
She doesn’t see how expensive manure storage facilities can be suggested without a clear understanding of what it would cost producers. Under the proposed rules, even hobby farms would be required to build storage facilities.
Officials with the provincial environment ministry were not available for comment.
