Helmut Spieser

The applicants, neighbouring property owners, brought an application under the Farm Practices Protection Act complaining about the respondents' practice of burning horse manure on their hobby farm.

The respondents argued that burning was necessary to keep their barns clean for handicapped visitors and that it was a common practice.

The Normal Farm Practices Protection Board found that it had jurisdiction to determine what constitutes a normal farm practice, even if the practice potentially violated the Environmental Protection Act.

Relying on evidence from local farmers and an agricultural engineer, the Board concluded that burning manure is not a normal farm practice and ordered the respondents to cease the practice, recommending alternative disposal methods such as composting or spreading.