General (O. Reg. 267/03).

The present Regulation enforces the Nutrient Management Act (2002, SO 2002, c 4). In particular, the Regulation defines the size of a farm operation in terms of nutrient units, based on the amount of manure that could be generated given the capacity of the farm to house livestock. One nutrient unit (NU) is the amount of manure equivalent to the commercial fertilizer replacement value of the lower of 43 kg of nitrogen or 55 kg of phosphate. This allows compare, for example, hog farms with poultry farms. The Regulation does not restrict the number of animals that a farm operation can have. The Regulation sets forth rules for farm operations of different sizes and is aimed at reducing the risk of nutrients entering surface or groundwater. The text consists of 121 sections divided into 12 Parts as follows: Definition and interpretation (I); Nutrient management strategies, plans: general (II); Nutrient management strategies, plans and nasm plans: preparation (III); Nutrient management strategies, plans and nasm plans: approval, registration and notice (IV); Brokers (V); Land application standards (VI); Outdoor confinement areas (VII); Siting, construction and storage (VIII); Anaerobic digestion (IX); Certificates and licences (X); Records (XI); Local Advisory Committees (XII). Six Schedules are enclosed.