On February 22nd, the Quebec government published its intent to amend its regulations to ban use of U.S. biosolids for use in direct agricultural application and has implemented a temporary moratorium to do just that.  Benoit Charette, Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP), signed the notice in the Gazette Officielle du Quebec proposing to amend the Environmental Quality Act relating to agricultural operations.  Specifically, MELCCFP proposes to amend the Agricultural Operations Regulation (chapter Q-2, r. 26) by inserting the following after Section 29.2:

“The spreading on any parcel of land of sludge from a municipal or industrial wastewater treatment plant or any other wastewater treatment or collection system, as well as de-inking sludge from pulp and paper mills, where the sludge originates from outside Canada, or any product containing such sludge, is prohibited.”

The Gazette notice includes other proposed changes such as increasing penalties for violations, up to $3 million according to the translation. The deadline for submitting comments is April 8th.  More information about this MELCCFP “consultation” can be found here: Regulatory Omnibus Proposal 2023 amending 24 regulations (gouv.qc.ca)

On March 2nd, Reseau Environmental issued a statement on behalf of MELCCFP announcing a temporary moratorium on the agricultural application of residuals imported from the United States while MELCCFP works to develop standards for PFAS in biosolids for agricultural land application. The title of the press release in the English version is positive as are the actions being taken. Reseau will be assisting MELCCFP in establishing a committee on the use of biosolids in Quebec. The committee will consist of 40 key partners to inform the Ministry on operational issues.

Statements by Minister Charette and Andre Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister responsible for the Centre-du-Québec region, were also positive.

I would like to reassure the public that, unlike landfills, which are a major source of greenhouse gases, the application of Quebec biosolids remains a responsible, sustainable and agronomically and environmentally beneficial management solution. It is also an effective avenue to focus on in the fight against climate change. » Benoit Charette

Andre Lamontagne started his quote with:

The circular economy is part of responsible and sustainable practices in agriculture and we recognize the importance of recovering fertilizing residual materials. By using these carbon- and nutrient-rich materials, our farmers are taking action that has agronomic benefits in addition to helping reduce synthetic fertilizers. With the current approach, our goal is to ensure that we update our knowledge necessary to pursue an effective and safe use of these materials for soils, crops, humans and the entire ecosystem.

To that end, MELCCFP published an update to its guide for recycling residuals or “matières résiduelles fertilisantes” (MRF).  The updates to the Guide will remain in effect until control measures are in place.  

NEBRA plans to write a letter with comments on the proposal to ban U.S. exports to Canada.