To register a complaint with the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB), call the 24-hour, toll free reporting line: 1-866-383-6722.

Your personal information and identity is confidential, in accordance with the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA). Complainants who wish to receive follow up information can ask to be contacted by an NRCB inspector, but must leave their contact information in order to receive a call back.

When the NRCB inspector contacts you, explain your concern and discuss the kind of information and frequency of communication you would like to receive and that the inspector can provide.

The majority of complaints are responded to by phone call within one business day. The majority of onsite inspections, if an inspection is required, occur within five business days.

Inspectors aim to resolve complaints or ensure no further action is required within 90 days of receiving the complaint. Every complaint and all steps taken to resolve the complaint are tracked on the NRCB’s confined feeding operation (CFO) database.

Serious contraventions, such as calls that deal with a manure release off the operator’s property, are the first priority. If this type of call is received after hours, the call is forwarded to the on-call compliance manager and responded to within 24 hours.

The NRCB’s Compliance and Enforcement Policy sets out the procedures inspectors follow when responding to a complaint.

Complainants who would like to be called back will be contacted by the NRCB inspector who has responded to the complaint. The inspector will explain what actions were taken to address the concern. 

The NRCB also conducts regular client satisfaction surveys through a professional survey firm. If you wish to provide your feedback, your contact information will be required when you file your complaint.

The NRCB never discloses the identity or contact information of a complainant to the operator or a third party.

In order for the NRCB inspector to speak directly with the complainant, for example to confirm the location of the issue or details of the complaint, and to provide follow up information about how the complaint was addressed or resolved, the complainant must provide their contact information. If a complainant does not want to disclose their contact information to the NRCB, the inspector will still follow up on the complaint. However, in these situations the inspector cannot follow up directly with the complainant.

Your complaint will be entered in the NRCB’s confined feeding operation (CFO) database and forwarded to the inspector who is responsible for that region (or to the compliance manager, in the case of serious contraventions that occur after regular work hours).

If you have provided your contact information, the inspector who receives your complaint will contact you to confirm the details of your complaint.

After the inspector has contacted you, the inspector will determine the most efficient and appropriate response for that type of complaint, on a case by case basis.

• For an emergency situation, the inspector will immediately proceed to the site.
• Most often, inspectors conduct a site inspection in response to a complaint. In some cases complaints can be successfully handled by a telephone conversation with the operator.

After completing their investigation, the inspector will contact you again to inform you how the complaint was resolved, unless you have indicated that you do not want to be contacted.

The following information is logged in the NRCB confined feeding operation (CFO) database and is used by the NRCB to evaluate its complaint response procedures and timelines:

• the date and time of the inspector’s follow up in response to a complaint
• a record of communication with all parties
• the time and date of site inspections
• issues identified during a site inspection
• follow up actions taken

Common complaints include concerns about odour, manure application, non-compliance with AOPA or a permit condition, and water quality. 

If the NRCB determines that issues brought to its attention are acceptable agricultural practice (as discussed under Part 1 of the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA)), complainants may be referred to the Farmers’ Advocate Office of Agriculture and Irrigation for review. 

Odour

The majority of complaints are about odour from manure spreading or liquid storage lagoons.

An operation's permit conditions may require certain actions to mitigate odour. For example, an operator may be required to incorporate manure within a specified number of hours or to use direct injection. Actions may also need to be taken to minimize odours from liquid manure storage facilities. However, some degree of odour is normal and is considered accepted agricultural practice.

When an odour complaint is received, NRCB inspectors must determine the source of the odour, whether the odour is the result of non-compliance, and whether the odour is creating an inappropriate disturbance or would be considered normal for an agricultural operation.

Inspectors use an odour protocol to determine whether an odour exceeds the level that would be considered an inappropriate disturbance. Complainants may be asked to track the time, intensity, and duration of the odour to help the inspector assess the cause and determine the appropriate response.

Manure Handling

Manure handling complaints include concerns about stockpiling and spreading. NRCB inspectors have jurisdiction for these issues under AOPA. For more information, please see the frequently asked questions Manure Storage & Facilities and Manure Application & Setbacks.

AOPA requires operations constructed after January 1, 2002 to have sufficient available space for nine-months of manure storage. Operators must ensure that manure that has accumulated over the summer months is spread before the onset of winter. Many operators practice good neighbour relations by advising neighbours in advance of spreading. 

Dust, Flies, & Other Inappropriate Disturbance

NRCB inspectors respond to inappropriate disturbance complaints about dust and flies, and can require an operator to take steps to control these issues. 

Non-Compliance with AOPA or a Specific Permit Condition

Complaints about non-compliance with the AOPA or a specific permit condition will be investigated or responded to within five business days. If a call back is requested, the complainant will be contacted within one business day of registering the complaint, dependent on work load. Confirmed and repeated non-compliance may be responded to by enforcement action. 

Water Quality

AOPA and its regulations require confined feeding operations to prevent manure-contaminated water from leaving the property or entering a common body of water. If an issue is identified, NRCB inspectors consult as required with provincial and federal regulators responsible for water quality. Inspectors may also initiate enforcement action under AOPA. Environment and Protected Areas has authority for water quality under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Environment Canada is responsible for the protection of fish and fish habitat.

Unauthorized Construction

Operators require an AOPA permit to construct manure collection or storage facilities, or to increase their livestock numbers. Operators who are planning to construct a new facility, expand an existing facility or increase their livestock should contact the NRCB before beginning construction, to confirm whether they need a permit. 

The potential consequences for constructing without a permit can be quite severe. Penalties can include being required to stop construction, to remove the livestock from the facility, or to stop using the facility to store manure or hold livestock. In rare circumstances, operators may even be required to remove the facility. 

If the NRCB receives a complaint about unauthorized construction, the inspector will contact the operator and will conduct a site inspection if the inspector is not familiar with the site. Compliance and enforcement typically start with education and voluntary compliance. If necessary, verbal directives, written compliance directives, and enforcement or emergency orders will be issued. In extreme cases, court action can be taken.

Dead Livestock

Disposal of dead livestock is regulated by Agriculture and Irrigation under the Animal Health Act. NRCB refers all complaints about the disposal of dead livestock to Agriculture and Irrigation (Regulatory Assurance division) for follow-up. 

Livestock in Water Bodies

AOPA regulates confined feeding operations and manure management. It does not give the NRCB authority for grazing livestock and does not address the proximity of grazing cattle to common bodies of water. However, the act does give the NRCB authority to address seasonal feeding and bedding sites that pose a risk to common bodies of water. Board inspectors will respond to issues of manure posing a risk to a water body, and will consult with Environment and Protected Areas, municipal irrigation district authorities and other regulators as required. 

Manure Transport and Road Use

The NRCB does not have jurisdiction over road use. Jurisdiction for road use depends on whether the road is classified as a municipal or provincial road. Operators who truck manure are responsible for obtaining any permits necessary to use these roads and for complying with all applicable road regulations. The NRCB logs and responds to complaints regarding road use and will forward the complaint to the appropriate authority.