Ottawa — Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent has announced the addition of 41 unique substances, including ammonium nitrate fertilizer, to the Environmental Emergency Regulations as a continuation of “the government’s commitment to protect Canadians and safeguard our environment.” He added, “These amendments to the regulations will further protect Canadians where it matters most at work, in their homes and in their communities.“ Industry response was not available from Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI) or the Canadian Assn. of Agri Retailers (CAAR) because of the extended holidays. The criteria considered in selecting ammonium nitrate and the other substances for listing include severity of acute adverse effects on human health and on the environment or its biodiversity. Facilities that handle these 41 listed substances at or above regulated quantities are required to develop environmental emergency (E2) plans if they are not already in place. E2 plans require that individuals and industrial facilities using or storing regulated hazardous substances listed in the regulations have plans for and can manage the consequences of an unintended release of the substance into the environment. The E2 plans are required when the substance is stored or used at a fixed facility at or above the specified threshold quantities. In the case of ammonium nitrate the level for an E2 plan is 20 tons, but the new rule includes an exemption for bagged ammonium nitrate sold in its usual 20-kg container. Federal regulations already require sellers of ammonium nitrate to register with the explosives regulatory division of Natural Resources Canada, ask for proper ID from customers, provide annual inventory reports, and report any suspicious activity to "appropriate authorities."
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain