Brokers and Land Applicators - Certification and Licensing Under the Nutrient Management Act

As of December 31, 2005 there are new requirements for Brokers and Land Applicators working with specific agricultural and non-agricultural operations.

“Brokers” are defined as individuals or businesses that transport, haul or store prescribed materials such as manure or biosolids that are intended for land application. “Land applicators” include individuals or businesses that land apply these materials to agricultural land. The following now must be certified and/or licensed by OMAFRA to perform their duties:

• brokers working with agricultural or non-agricultural operations that are required to have a Nutrient Management Strategy (NMS), and
• land application businesses working with agricultural operations that require a Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) under the nutrient management regulation (O. Reg. 267/03) of the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 .

Note that this requirement does not apply to septage haulers who only manage hauled sewage unless they land apply treated portable toilet waste.

Agricultural operations that require a NMS include large farms with 300 or more nutrient units and farms with more than five nutrient units that apply for a building permit for livestock housing or a manure storage, or construct an earthen manure storage. Many agricultural operations requiring a NMS also require a NMP. At this point in time, large sewage treatment plants with a design capacity greater than 45,400 m³/day are the only non-agricultural operations that require a NMS. Other non-agricultural operations will be phased-in over time.

To obtain the Broker’s Certificate or the Land Application Business Owner’s Licence candidates must complete the appropriate course and achieve a passing grade on an exam.

To register for a course and/or exam, or of any topic related to nutrient management and requirements under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002 and Ontario Regulation 267/03, call the Nutrient Management Toll-Free Information Line at 1-866-242-4460 or refer to the OMAFRA website.

Related Links

• Nutrient Management Act

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