Dr. Lambert Otten

The applicants, neighbours of a mushroom composting facility, applied to the Normal Farm Practices Protection Board regarding severe odours emanating from the respondent's property.

The Board found that the odours constituted a disturbance under the Farming and Food Production Protection Act.

However, after hearing expert evidence, the Board concluded that the respondent's conventional Phase 1 composting process, while producing anaerobic odours, was consistent with current normal farm practices in Ontario.

The Board noted that while aerated floor technology could eliminate the odours, it remained experimental for mushroom production.

The application was dismissed, though the Board strongly urged the industry to develop better odour control technology.