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Alberta modernizes ag legislation to support growth and innovation

The Government of Alberta has enacted legislative changes through Bill 44, amending the Agricultural Operation Practices Act (AOPA) and 2 of its associated regulations. These updates, which came into effect on June 23, 2025, aim to reduce regulatory barriers, encourage innovation, and promote environmentally responsible practices in agriculture — particularly the management of manure, agricultural processing by-products and compost, and biogas production.

Key changes under Bill 44

One of the most significant updates is the formal inclusion of digestate management under AOPA. Digestate, a by-product of anaerobic digestion, primarily from manure and other approved feedstocks, was previously managed under a memorandum of understanding. Digestate can now be stored in manure storage facilities or applied directly to agricultural land following the same requirements for manure application, provided it meets the requirements outlined in the new On-Farm Storage and Land Application Code (First Edition, June 2025). Digestate produced using feedstocks not in the code will continue to be regulated by Environment and Protected Areas.

The legislation also allows certain organic materials off the farm to be used as nutrient sources under AOPA. These materials, now listed in part 5 of the code, may be stored, composted, or applied to land, offering agri-processors more options for managing by-products while supporting soil health and crop growth.

These amendments align with Alberta’s goals to enhance sustainability and create new opportunities in the agri-food and bioenergy sectors.

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