Better Pork - February 2007

Environment (article 2)

What’s involved in the changes to the minimum distance separation formula

Many protocols have remained the same, but key improvements and clarifications have been a made. Here’s a summary

by SAM BRADSHAW

Separation siting of livestock barns originated in 1970 with the introduction of a document called “A Suggested Code of Practice.” This document encouraged farmers to apply for a Certificate of Approval which outlines the minimum of land required for manure application and a simple, fixed minimum separation distance between barns, manure storages and other land uses.

Revisions were made in 1973, which included a framework for the establishment and expansion of livestock enterprises, but which provided little protection from encroachment by other land uses.

The Agricultural Code of Practice was published in 1976 and provided a two-way approach to separating livestock and poultry barns from incompatible uses and vice-versa.

Minimum Distance Separation I (MDS I) was established to determine the minimum separation distance between proposed new development and existing livestock facilities and permanent manure storages.

Minimum Distance separation II (MDS II) was developed to determine the minimum separation distance between proposed new, enlarged or remodelled livestock facilities and permanent manure storages and other existing or approved development.

MDS is an effective tool for dealing with nuisances related to odour, but it will not eliminate all potential odour complaints, nor will it address other problems such as noise, dust, light, smoke, vibration or flies. It is only intended to deal with odour generated from livestock facilities, and not to address nuisance odours related to application of manure.

In 2004, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) held consultations across the province, seeking input on revising the MDS formulas. As a result of these consultations, held by Lyle Vanclief and Bob Bedggood, OMAFRA revised the MDS formulas.

Following are some of the highlights appearing in the revised MDS formulas. Many protocols have remained the same. For a complete description, please refer to the publication entitled “MDS Implementation Guidelines,” available from OMAFRA.
The MDS formulas are used for siting Type A and Type B land uses away from livestock buildings and also for siting livestock buildings away from Type A and B land uses.

Type A land uses generally involve a lower density of human occupancy, habitation or activity, including low-intensity recreational use, industrial and residential.

Type B land uses typically have a higher density of human occupancy, habitation or activity, such as commercial, institutional, high-intensity recreational use and settlement areas.


MDS formulas are based on five factors:
  • Factor A. Odour potential (i.e. how smelly).
  • Factor B. Nutrient Units factor (how many livestock).
  • Factor C. Orderly Expansion factor (percentage increase or new operation).
  • Factor D. What kind of manure (liquid or solid).
  • Factor E. Encroaching land use (what’s nearby).
As an example, the separation distance required to obtain a severance for a residential building lot adjacent to a 2,000-head swine feeder barn would be 508 metres (1,666 feet) from the edge of the new lot to the edge of the feeder barn. A 2,000-head feeder barn expanding to 4,000 head would need 514 metres (1,685 feet) between the barn and a neighbour’s dwelling, or 1,029 metres (3,375 feet) between the barn and a village.

Some key improvements to the MDS formula and a brief description of some of the changes are as follows:
  • MDS I and II are in the same document and produce similar setbacks.
  • Nutrient Units (NU) are used instead of Livestock Units.
  • There is now a three-year waiting period to derive the benefits of the expansion factor.
  • There is a commitment to review the formula every five years.
  • New Windows-based software is available to help calculate distances.
  • The formulas have been modified to facilitate improvements, such as construction of manure storages to prevent winter spreading.
  • There are minor increases or decreases in setbacks for some livestock types.
  • Separation distances for hobby farms (mostly less than 10 NU) are increased.
  • A much greater diversity of livestock types is recognized.
  • MDS I provides more protection for small and medium-sized livestock operations.
  • There is clarification on how to apply MDS I for existing lots of record. (Municipalities are strongly encouraged to apply MDS I to any development proposed through a building permit on an existing lot).
  • There is clarification about applying MDS in case of a catastrophe. (Municipalities have the option of not applying MDS II after a catastrophe that destroys all or part of a livestock facility, providing that it is built no closer to surrounding development and is the same as the destroyed facility).
This is only a summary of the changes to the formulas. OMAFRA has also prepared a sample by-law to assist municipalities in incorporating the Minimum Distance Separation Formulas into their comprehensive zoning by-laws. BP

Sam Bradshaw is environmental specialist with Ontario Pork

©Copyright 2007 AgMedia Inc.

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