Manitoba bans phos in lawn fertilizers

Winnipeg, Manitoba-Manitoba has become the first province in Canada to enact legislation restricting use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus in residential areas, which officials describe as a key step in keeping nutrients out of provincial waterways. Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick noted that the government recently eliminated phosphorus from household dishwasher detergent and now “is committed to taking strong action to protect our lakes and rivers for future generations.” She said that following positive public consultations last fall the province is restricting, effective Jan. 1, 2009, the use of lawn fertilizer containing more than one per cent phosphorus. Lawn fertilizers currently sold in Manitoba have phosphorus content as high as 20 per cent. Manitoba’s regulatory change to control fertilizer applications is modeled on similar regulations adopted by Minnesota in 2005, which has resulted in a nearly 50 per cent reduction in phosphorus being applied in fertilizers to lawns in residential areas. Melnick said Manitoba soil already has high phosphorus concentrations, making additional applications in most instances not necessary to maintain a healthy lawn. However, phosphorus would be permitted on a short-term basis for new lawns. Melnick noted the province has initiated discussions with Landscape Manitoba and the Canadian Fertilizer Institute about ensuring consumers will continue to have access to a range of lawn-care products in Manitoba stores. “It is important to recognize the major professional lawn-care companies in Manitoba have already eliminated phosphorus from their fertilizer mixes,” said David Hinton of Landscape Manitoba, a trade association that includes nursery and greenhouse growers, garden centre operators, landscape contractors, sod growers, and landscape maintenance contractors. “We are very pleased to continue to work closely with the Province of Manitoba on this key issue to ensure that others similarly reduce this source of phosphorus to Manitoba’s waterways.” The minister said a public-education campaign will precede the restrictions taking effect.