The Manitoba government will ban the use of fertilizers and other chemicals that contain phosphorus near the province's rivers and lakes, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said Wednesday.

The province's changes are aimed at protecting water quality and reducing the amount of phosphorous in Lake Winnipeg and other bodies of water. High levels of phosphorus have been responsible for algae blooms appearing on Lake Winnipeg.

Struthers made the announcement as he outlined the newest phase of the province's water protection plan.

Starting in 2009, no one within strict buffer zones along waterways will be allowed to apply lawn or agricultural fertilizers.

The buffer zones will range from three to 15 metres along rivers to 15 to 30 metres along lakes. The ban will apply to everyone, including homeowners, farmers and golf course staff.

As well, the province plans to introduce regulations limiting the use of manure phosphorus, as well as regulate the use of synthetic fertilizers.

"We want to keep phosphorous away from the edges of rivers and away from the edges of lakes. And to do that, we need to have these regulations in place," Struthers said Wednesday.

"And we need to be able to move forward in consultation with the people who are actually being impacted by these decisions."

Public consultations

The province will also hold public consultations on the use of cosmetic fertilizers and other products that contain phosphorous. Struthers said the phosphorus ban may eventually be extended to all homeowners, even those who live far from water.

Struthers said more money will be spent on the enforcement and inspection of fertilizer use. Stiffer penalties will be on the way for those who apply fertilizer within the buffer zones, he said.

Manitoba Liberal Leader Jon Gerrard said last month he plans to introduce a private member's bill that would ban phosphates in dishwasher soap, saying that they're polluting Lake Winnipeg.

Province puts hogs on hold

The province is also putting a temporary hold on new or expanding hog operations, Struthers said.

Struthers said the construction of any new hog barns, as well as the expansion of existing hog barns, will be banned while the province's Clean Environment Commission conducts a review of the industry.

Pork producers said Wednesday that they have been unfairly targeted.

"We have every confidence that we'll be able to show that our industry is very sustainable," said Karl Kynoch, chairman of the Manitoba Pork Council.

Struthers said he wants the commission to assess the impact of the hog industry on Manitoba waterways.