A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra.
MINIMUM DISTANCE SEPARATION FORMULAE
The Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Formulae are land use planning tools that determine a recommended separation distance between a livestock barn, manure storage or anaerobic digester and another land use.
The objective of MDS is to prevent land use conflicts and minimize nuisance complaints related to odour. MDS does not account for other nuisances such as noise or dust. MDS is a ‘two-way approach’ that is made up of two separate, but related, formulae.
MDS I – provides the minimum distance separation between proposed new development and any existing livestock barns, manure storages and/or anaerobic digesters located in areas where the keeping of livestock is permitted.
MDS II – provides the minimum distance separation between proposed new, enlarged, or remodelled livestock barns, manure storages and/or anaerobic digester and existing or approved development located in areas where the keeping of livestock is permitted.
The MDS Formulae are based on five factors:
– the type of livestock housed;
– the number of livestock housed (based on barn capacity or tillable hectares);
– the percentage increase in the size of the operation (if expanding);
– the type of manure system and storage; and
– the type of encroaching land use.
The calculated setback distances will vary based on these five factors, and will result in unique distances for different types of operations in different circumstances and locations.
In Ontario’s rural and prime agricultural areas, the Provincial Policy Statement, 2014 – http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page10679.aspx, requires that new land uses, including the creation of lots and new or expanding livestock facilities, comply with the MDS Formulae.
References to MDS are to be included in municipal planning documents such as zoning by-laws and official plans. Before a land use planning approval can be given, or a building permit can be issued, conformity to MDS setbacks must be demonstrated.
The most current version of the MDS is found in Publication 853, The Minimum Distance Separation (MDS) Document Formulae and Guidelines for Livestock Facility and Anaerobic Digester Odour Setbacks.
The changes are effective as of March 1 and replace all former versions of the formulae.
Visit the OMAFRA website http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/landuse/mds.htm for more information about Publication 853.
In February, you can order a PDF version of the document through the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or e-mail ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca. You can also order a free hard copy version from ServiceOntario – https://www.publications.serviceontario.ca/pubont/servlet/ecom/or by calling 1-800-668-9938.
COMING EVENTS
Jan. 12 – Waterloo/Wellington Maple Syrup Producers Information Day. Starts at 9am at the Elmira Lions Hall, 40 South St., W. Elmira. Contact Fred Martin for more information 519-669-3753.
Jan. 21 – FarmSmart 2017 – Rozanski Hall at the University of Guelph. Visit farmsmartconference.com/farmsmart-2017intro/ for more information and to register or call 1-877-424-1300.
