Ryan Remiorz The Canadian Press According to Minister Benoit Charette, Quebec wants to ensure that the fertilizing residual materials generated outside of Canada, but imported into Quebec, are safe.
The Government of Quebec announced Thursday the imposition of a temporary moratorium on the agricultural application of biosolids imported from the United States.
The Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, Benoit Charette, said in a press release that the moratorium will remain in effect until a control mechanism for certain substances is established.
Quebec wants to s ensure that fertilizing residual materials generated outside of Canada, but imported into Quebec, are safe.
Quebec authorities say they are currently working to establish an acceptable threshold for Quebec.< /p>
Municipal biosolids represent the material that results from the treatment of municipal wastewater. They are made up largely of organic matter and contain nutrients necessary for different crops.
Last week, Minister Charette tabled a draft regulation to prevent the spreading of municipal biosolids in fields. from outside of Canada.
The state of Maine banned the practice after contaminated fields were discovered.
Several weeks ago, the College of Chemists of Quebec, the Order of Agronomists of Quebec as well as the Order of Veterinary Physicians of Quebec had published a press release urging the population and the government to exercise the greatest caution.
