Environmental levy on cosmetic fertilizer

This morning on the bank of the Assiniboine River I announced that Manitoba Liberals would implement an environmental levy on cosmetic fertilizers. Cosmetic fertilizers include those that are used for lawn care and golf courses. The use of surface fertilizers for cosmetic, non-agricultural purposes carries with it a major downside in terms of environmental damage. The cost of repairing that damage has to be incorporated into the price we pay to use fertilizers for cosmetic purposes.

The levy would be applied to those fertilizers containing significant phosphorous levels. Manitoba Liberals have discussed a complete ban on phosphorous in cosmetic fertilizers, however we believe it would be more difficult to implement. The environmental levy we are proposing would have the advantages of raising public awareness and generating a stream of revenue that would go to funding other efforts to remove phosphorus from Manitoba waterways.

The phosphorous in products like cosmetic fertilizers add to the algal problems we have in Lake Winnipeg. It is important that we all do our part to stop the phosphorous loading in Lake Winnipeg. This is one of several measures that I have talked about on my blog that can make an immediate impact in saving our lakes and rivers.

I’ve attached a short video from the announcement this morning. Simply click on the play button to view.