Section 1302. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Agricultural operator." A person that has management control of a normal farming operation.
"Best management practice." A practice or combination of practices determined by the commission to be effective and practicable given technological, economic and institutional considerations, to manage nutrients and characteristics of interest to protect surface water and groundwater, taking into account applicable nutrient requirements for crop utilization.
"Board." The Agricultural Advisory Board established under 27 Pa.C.S. § 702 (relating to establishment of board).
"Characteristics of interest." Specific components that may be present in food processing residuals that are of special concern due to their potential to cause irrevocable harm to soil, pollution to surface water and groundwater or harm to public health.
"Commercial food processing residuals broker." A person that is not working for or under the control of an agricultural operator or food processing residuals generator and that assumes temporary control or ownership of the food processing residuals from a food processing residuals generator and arranges for transport to and utilization at an importing agricultural operation.
"Commercial food processing residuals hauler." A person that transports or land-applies food processing residuals under this article as a contract agent for an agricultural operator, as an employee or contract agent for a food processing residuals generator or commercial food processing residuals broker under the direction of the operator, food processing residuals generator or broker.
"Commission." The State Conservation Commission established under section 4 of the act of May 15, 1945 (P.L.547, No.217), known as the Conservation District Law.
"Department." The Department of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.
"Food processing residuals." Residual materials in liquid or solid form generated in the slaughtering of poultry and livestock, or in processing and converting fish, seafood, milk, meat and eggs to food products. The term includes residual materials generated in the processing, converting or manufacturing of fruits, vegetables, crops and other commodities into marketable food items. The term does not include food processing residuals transported to a normal farming operation and used to feed livestock or poultry.
"Land application system." A written site-specific plan that incorporates best management practices for the use of food processing residuals in the course of normal farming operations, including storage, processing and land application.
"Land application system notification." Written notification that a normal farming operation has a land application system for the use of food processing residuals in the course of normal farming operations.
"Normal farming operation." The customary and generally accepted activities, practices and procedures that farms adopt, use or engage in year after year in the production and preparation for market of poultry, livestock and their products; and in the production, harvesting and preparation for market of agricultural, agronomic, horticultural, silvicultural and aquacultural crops and commodities; provided that such operation is conducted in compliance with applicable laws, and provided that the use or disposal of these materials will not pollute the air, water or other natural resources of the Commonwealth. The term includes the storage and utilization of agricultural waste and food processing residuals, screenings and sludges for animal feed, and includes the agricultural utilization of septic tank cleanings and sewage sludges which are generated off-site. The term includes the management, collection, storage, transportation, use or disposal of manure, other agricultural waste and food processing residuals, screenings and sludges on land where such materials will improve the condition of the soil, the growth of crops or in the restoration of the land for the same purposes.
"Nutrient." A substance or recognized plant nutrient, element or compound that is used or sold for its plant nutritive content or its claimed nutritive value. The term includes livestock and poultry manures, compost as fertilizer, commercially manufactured chemical fertilizers, sewage sludge, food processing residuals or combinations thereof.
"Nutrient Management Act." The provisions of 3 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 (relating to nutrient management and odor management).
"Nutrient Management Advisory Board." The board established under 3 Pa.C.S. § 510 (relating to Nutrient Management Advisory Board).
"Secretary." The Secretary of Agriculture of the Commonwealth.
"Solid Waste Management Act." The act of July 7, 1980 (P.L.380, No.97), known as the Solid Waste Management Act.
(1302 added July 12, 2026, P.L.265, No.21)