How LaSalle Agri Works With Canada’s Regulatory Bodies
At LaSalle Agri, safety and compliance are built into everything we do. The fertilizer industry is governed by several regulatory bodies at both the federal and provincial level. Each one plays a different role in making sure fertilizers are safe, responsibly applied and produced with care for the environment.
This article explains who these regulators are, what they oversee and how we work with them every day. Our goal is transparency for our customers, the public and the people who join our team.
1. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Focus: What fertilizer products are allowed to be sold in Canada
Legislation: Fertilizers Act and Fertilizers Regulations
What CFIA does
CFIA oversees every fertilizer and supplement that is imported or sold in Canada. They ensure products are safe, labelled correctly and meet federal standards. This includes:
- Safety for human, animal and plant health
- Protection of the environment
- Correct labelling, such as guaranteed analysis and directions for use
- Registration when required, based on product type and ingredients
Fertilizers where biosolid is a source material are treated the same as any other fertilizer. They must either be registered or fall under an exempt category, and still meet all federal safety and labelling rules.
How CFIA works with LaSalle Agri
Our interactions with CFIA relate to the fertilizers we manufacture and sell.
Product registration and review
If a product requires registration, we submit its formulation, contaminant data, nutrient analysis, pathogen results, safety information and proposed labels. CFIA reviews and approves the registration for a set period.
Label reviews
Even for products that do not require registration, labels must meet federal requirements. CFIA provides guidance to ensure everything is compliant and accurate.
Marketplace oversight
CFIA inspectors may sample fertilizer at dealers or storage locations to confirm that what is sold matches what is approved.
If a company does not comply
CFIA has the authority to issue warnings, request corrective action, stop sales, order recalls, issue monetary penalties or pursue prosecution. These tools protect both farmers and the environment.
Think of CFIA as the regulator that ensures the fertilizer itself meets Canada’s safety and labelling standards.
2. Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA)
Focus: How nutrients are stored and applied on farms
Legislation: Nutrient Management Act and Ontario Regulation 267/03
What OMAFRA does
OMAFRA oversees nutrient management practices in Ontario to protect soil, water and the environment. They set rules around how manure, biosolids, NASM and some fertilizers are stored and applied. Key areas include:
- Nutrient Management Strategies and Plans
- NASM Plans for biosolids and similar products
- Storage requirements and runoff prevention
- Application timing, setbacks, field conditions and soil testing
How OMAFRA works with LaSalle Agri
Our relationship with OMAFRA is tied to how our fertilizer is used in the field.
Plan approvals
Fields receiving NASM require an approved plan. Farmers apply for these plans with certified plan developers, and we provide the technical data needed, such as nutrient content and metals testing.
Guidance and standards
OMAFRA sets the rules for safe land application, which we follow and educate farmers on.
Compliance visits
Provincial officers may inspect fields where NASM or fertilizer materials are being applied to ensure plans are followed correctly.
If there is non-compliance
OMAFRA can issue compliance orders, administrative penalties, or lay charges under the Nutrient Management Act or the Ontario Water Resources Act.
In simple terms, OMAFRA focuses on how fertilizer is stored and spread on farms and ensures responsible nutrient application.
3. Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP)
Focus: How our site operates and its environmental footprint
Legislation: Environmental Protection Act, Ontario Water Resources Act and others
What MECP does
MECP regulates the environmental impact of facilities that store, process or handle materials. For LaSalle Agri, the most important requirement is the Environmental Compliance Approval, also called an ECA.
An ECA sets the conditions for air emissions, noise, wastewater, stormwater, storage structures and waste management systems. It outlines exactly how we must build, operate and monitor our facility.
How MECP works with LaSalle Agri
ECA applications and amendments
Whenever we build, modify or expand equipment or storage areas, we submit engineering drawings, environmental controls and process descriptions for approval.
Compliance and reporting
Our ECAs outline operating limits, monitoring requirements, record keeping and reporting obligations. MECP can request documentation at any time.
Site inspections and audits
Inspectors may visit our site, review logs and verify that all ECA conditions are being met.
If a company does not comply
MECP can issue orders, administrative penalties, large fines and in severe cases suspend or revoke an ECA. For businesses that depend on environmental approvals, this can stop operations entirely.
MECP is the regulator that ensures our facility is built and operated safely for the environment and the community.
A Simple Way to Remember
CFIA oversees the fertilizer product itself
- What it contains
- How it is labelled
- Whether it can be sold in Canada
OMAFRA oversees how nutrients are applied on farms
- Application plans
- Storage rules
- Timing and environmental protection
MECP oversees our site and environmental impact
- ECAs (Environmental Compliance Approval)
- Storage design
- Emissions, runoff and wastewater
Our Commitment
LaSalle Agri works closely with all three regulators. We maintain accurate data, follow approved procedures and invest in safe infrastructure. This commitment allows us to provide fertilizers that support strong crops, healthy soils and a clean environment.
If you have questions about our regulatory process, our team is always ready to help.
