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Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae: History, Key Elements and Key Changes

Author: OMAFRA Staff
Creation Date: 29 November 2006
Last Reviewed: 18 August 2009

| History of the MDS Formulae | Key Elements of the MDS Formulae |
| Important Changes to the MDS Formulae |

History of the MDS Formulae

Separation siting for livestock barns in Ontario originated in 1970 with the introduction of the document, A Suggested Code of Practice. To address nuisance issues associated with odour, A Suggested Code of Practice recommended fixed minimum separation distances between livestock or poultry barns and neighbouring houses, residential zones, lot lines and roads. It was later revised in 1973.

However, while A Suggested Code of Practice contained a framework for the building or expanding of livestock barns, it provided little protection from encroachment by other land uses. In 1976, the Agricultural Code of Practice was introduced which incorporated a number of changes and provided a two-way approach to separating livestock and poultry barns from non-compatible uses and vice-versa. It also introduced the concept of a 'sliding scale' for separation distances, since fixed distances were too restrictive, or too lenient, depending on the size and type of farm operation.

The Agricultural Code of Practice created two formulae. The Minimum Distance Separation I (MDS I) formula was established to determine the minimum separation distances between proposed new development and existing livestock facilities and/or permanent manure storages. The Minimum Distance Separation II (MDS II) formula was developed to determine the minimum separation distances between proposed new, enlarged, or remodelled livestock facilities and/or permanent manure storages and other existing or approved development.

In 1995, the Agricultural Code of Practice was replaced with three separate documents: Guide to Agricultural Land Use, Minimum Distance Separation I (MDS I) and Minimum Distance Separation II (MDS II). Minor changes were made to the Minimum Distance Separation Formulae but the basic principles of the formulae remained the same.

The Guide to Agricultural Land Use was updated in 2005 and discusses issues that can arise between people engaged in agriculture and those engaged in other land uses in the Ontario countryside. It reviews a number of issues including agricultural land use planning, conflict avoidance and resolution, nutrient management, agriculture and the environment and nuisance issues. The Guide to Agricultural Land Use can be ordered online.

In 2006, the Minimum Distance Separation I (MDS I) and Minimum Distance Separation II (MDS II) documents were replaced by one new document called the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae Publication 707. The revised version of the Minimum Distance Separation Formulae came into effect on January 1, 2007 and replaces all former versions of the formulae.

OMAFRA intends to review the Minimum Distance Separation Formulae every five years to ensure the document reflects current land use planning practices and technological innovation within the livestock industry. To order a copy of the Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae Publication 707, visit MDS Formulae Publication 707 - Ordering Information.

Key Elements of the MDS Formulae

Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae's objective is to minimize nuisance complaints due to odour and reduce land use incompatibility. The MDS Formulae does not account for other nuisance issues, such as noise, dust or flies. The MDS Formulae is a 'two-way approach', and provides separation distances between livestock and poultry barns from non-compatible uses and vice-versa. It does not deal with odour from manure application.

The MDS Formulae is comprised of two separate, but related formulae: MDS I and MDS II.

MDS I is used to determine a minimum setback distance between proposed new development and existing livestock facilities or permanent manure storages. It is intended to protect farmers from non-farm land uses.

MDS II is used to determine a minimum setback distance between proposed new or expanding livestock facilities and existing or approved development, lot lines, and road allowances.

The MDS Formulae are based on five factors:

  • Type of livestock housed
  • Number of livestock housed, (based on barn capacity or tillable hectares)
  • Percentage increase in the size of the operation, (if expanding)
  • Type of manure system and storage; and
  • Type of encroaching land use

The setback distances calculated will vary based on these five factors, and will result in unique distances for different types of operations in different circumstances.

Important Changes to the MDS Formulae in 2007

Across Ontario, agriculture has evolved to meet various economic, environmental and social changes. Therefore, the MDS Formulae have been updated and improved to better meet the challenges facing Ontario's agricultural and rural communities today. On January 1, 2007, a revised MDS Formulae came into effect to replace the 1995 version of the MDS Formulae.

 

Changes to both MDS I and II

  • Implementation guidelines and tables for MDS I and II combined into a single document, making it easier to interpret and compare; more detailed implementation guidelines provided.
  • MDS formulae revised to use 'nutrient units' as opposed to 'livestock units'
  • More definitions incorporated into document; existing definitions revised to reflect current provincial land use policies.
  • Greater diversity of livestock types and manure storages identified in the MDS formulae.
  • MDS I and II can now be calculated for satellite manure storages, where no livestock are housed on the property, and
  • New software released for MDS I and II.

 

Changes to MDS I

  • All MDS I setbacks increased about ten to twenty (10 to 20) per cent compared to the setbacks found in MDS I in the 1995 version.
  • Provides greater protection for farm operations, especially where small livestock facilities are located on large parcels of land.

 

Changes to MDS II

  • Setbacks have generally stayed the same for most types of livestock; typically, increasing or decreasing one to two per cent from setbacks found in the 1995 version of MDS II. Major exceptions are noted as follows:

    • Setbacks for sheep facilities generally decreased.

    • Setbacks for segregated early weaning (SEW) swine barns increased. This is the only type of swine operation which increased. Setbacks for other swine operations are comparable to the 1995 version.

    • Setbacks increased for very small livestock facilities (i.e. less than 10 nutrient units) in part recognizing the large number of complaints that Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs staff have received regarding odour from these operations.

  • Expansion factor in MDS II revised to require a three-year waiting period between the issuance of successive building permits, in order to qualify for the benefits of the expansion factor.

The revised MDS Formulae came into effect on January 1, 2007. The Provincial Policy Statement issued under the Planning Act requires new land use planning applications submitted on, or after, January 1, 2007 to comply with the revised MDS. Where a building permit application triggers the requirement to meet MDS, e.g. building a new barn, the version of MDS that will be applied will depend on what is incorporated in the local municipal zoning by-law. Farmers should check with their local municipality for more information, about what setbacks they must meet before a barn can be constructed.

 

For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
Local: (519) 826-4047
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca