OFA provided comments on the proposed updates to the Food and Organic Waste Policy Statement surrounding compostable materials, hard to process materials, and reduction of food and organic waste. OFA recommended the Ontario government continue to engage agricultural sector stakeholders and OMAFRA expertise to advise government on best management practices needed to produce safe materials and cost-effective handling methods, and safely increase the amount of waste diverted from landfill to higher value processing streams. OFA recommended the provincial government provide funds for research to quantify and qualify the waste resource portfolio in rural and northern regions which struggle to support viable logistics needed to collect, divert, and process waste materials. In recognition of the unique challenges rural areas endure to manage waste resources, OFA supports recovery targets that consider community size, density, and geographic distribution. OFA recommended expanding rural recycling programs to accept pesticides and fertilizer containers, bale wrap, bags, compostable products, and other items used on the farm. OFA also recommended the province work with municipal associations to encourage projects to recover the value of waste (such as hard to recycle materials) in rural Ontario where there are already constraints on existing waste management infrastructure. To help rural, northern, and agricultural community efforts, OFA recommends the province backstop municipal sector – waste management partnerships that develop plastics-to-biochemical and organic bioenergy models. OFA stated that municipalities should be given decision making input for landfill siting approvals to protect the environment and ensuring landfill capacity. OFA strongly recommended that despite the desire to streamline environmental assessments or exempt various projects from environmental assessments, that agricultural impact assessments (AIAs) be an integral part of project planning, design, and construction. OFA strongly recommended that AIAs be mandatory with regards to the siting of landfills. OFA considers excess soil as an important resource requiring stringent rules to limit soils being sent to landfill. OFA stated that contaminated soils must not be relocated to farms. OFA recommended setting clear rules and standards around soil management, relocation and reuse of excess soil.