Manitoba is on track to become the first province in Canada to ban phosphorus in all household automatic dishwasher detergents, and officials say similar restrictions are in store for lawn and garden fertilizer. Legislation was introduced Nov. 29 which Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick described as a key part of a package of water-protection measures designed to stem the flow of excess nutrients into provincial waterways.
Melnick also said in coming weeks regulatory changes will be introduced to limit application of cosmetic lawn and garden fertilizers containing phosphorus in residential areas, as well as in provincial parks.
The Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association (CCSPA), an industry organization whose member companies produce 86 percent of all household automatic dishwasher detergent sold in Canada, has worked in close cooperation with the province to ensure Manitoba consumers will be able to purchase familiar brands of automatic household dishwasher detergents at competitive prices. Although Manitoba is moving forward now, the minister said a national strategy remains the best approach to reduce phosphorus in household cleaning products because watersheds such as Lake Winnipeg cross multiple provincial boundaries. Manitoba pledged to take action in the absence of a commitment from Ottawa to introduce a nationwide approach.
The proposed Phosphorus Reduction Act would restrict phosphorus content in household automatic dishwashing detergents sold in Manitoba to no more than 0.5 per cent, effective July 2010. The timing of the effective date coincides with voluntary guidelines being brought in by industry and several jurisdictions in the United States that plan to enact or have proposed similar legislation. The minister noted the legislation includes clauses that would enable the province to restrict the sale of additional cleaning products, personal-care products, and chemical water conditioners containing phosphorus by bringing forward regulations.
At the same time, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced that more than 5,000 farmers across Manitoba have completed environmental farm plans (EFPs) designed to help protect the environment. Ritz explained that by taking part in this program producers identify environmental risks in their farming operations and access financial and technical assistance to mitigate those risks through beneficial management practices. BMPs include improvements in manure storage and handling applications, nutrient management planning, improved cropping systems, and product waste management. The 5,000 completed EFPs represent over 8 million acres, nearly 50 per cent of all agricultural land in Manitoba.