Western Victorian MP Bev McArthur described the Environmental Protection Authority's plan to reclassify animal manure as industrial waste as “ridiculous” and a “nonsensical".

A recent EPA determinations paper has revealed that the government intends on redefining animal manure as industrial waste and demanding that anyone who deposits, transports, or receives more than 20 cubic metres of manure on their property must complete a declaration of use document.

That document must then be supplied to anyone else involved in the transport of manure.

Mrs McArthur told the Parliament, it's an "over-regulation emanating from inside the tram tracks of Melbourne with no understanding of how the agriculture sector actually operates.”

The reclassification means that farmers could be subjected to significant penalties if manure inadvertently falls into a waterway.

South-west dairy farmer, Bruce Knowles said, “This proposal isn’t driven by science or environmental concerns but instead irresponsible and extreme politics.”

“Effluent on pasture improves biological activity and structure in the soil.”

“This bureaucracy-driven madness has to be called out and immediately stopped in its tracks”.

Mrs McArthur called on the Minister for Environment “to ensure that the EPA ditches this nonsensical idea and ceases placing more rules and regulations on farmers during this very difficult economic time.”

“Farmers have kept Australians and particularly Victorians, fed throughout this year of monumental upset. It is insulting to suggest they must now be told how to produce their world renowned first class food and fibre. They are also having to endure loss of exports due to belligerent Chinese Communist Party trade restrictions.

“It’s time for this Government to support farmers not treat them like criminals by imposing ill-thought-through rules and penalties on their productive operations and farm practices.

Mrs McArthur also compared the proposal to the EPA’s assistance of the Government to dispose of toxic soil in Maddingley Brown Coal, through which the Parwon Creek flows.

“The great irony is of course that while on the one hand the EPA claims that they are broadening the definition of ‘industrial waste’ to prevent potential harm to human health and the environment, on the other they are facilitating the dumping of real toxic waste into waterways that will actually risk poisoning produce on farms around Bacchus Marsh.”