'No consultation': Sask. producers caught off guard by federal government's emissions targets
This year has been tough on farmers, both from cost and environmental perspectives.
That's why the federal government's new target - to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30 per cent over the next eight years - is concerning for some.
Ian Boxall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), said farmers understand environmental issues more than most.
“Producers care more about the environment than we ever get credit for, which is frustrating because we are the first ones that see any type of change, it effects our bottom line every day,” he said.
The frustration continues into governmental targets, something the province said they were not privy to before the announcement.
“I mean, this was obviously a decision made by the federal government with no consultation with the provinces or the producers,” said Minister of Agriculture for Saskatchewan, David Marit. “They just mandated this 30 per cent reduction of fertilizer emissions by the year 2030.”
The federal government however, said that they have been consulting with both farmers and provinces.
“Farmers are committed to making their production increasingly sustainable as they are the first to feel the effects of climate change. In recent years, they have managed to double their production while keeping GHG emissions at the same level,” Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Marie-Claude Bibeau said in a statement to CTV.
"Fertilizers are an essential input for Canada's agricultural crops. The approach for achieving this target is currently in development and will continue to evolve as industry feedback is received through consultations."
“Recognizing that farmers are key players in reducing greenhouse emissions, our government is making investments to help them further adopt clean technologies and sustainable agricultural practices such as 4Rs. Reaching this target is part of the government's broader plan to reduce Canada's total GHG emissions by 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030,” the statement read.
Marit and Boxall both agree that while the farmers and ranchers in Saskatchewan have no problem complying with the mandates, they just need some direction.
“Where are the savings? Because I do not believe with the way we are fertilizing in Saskatchewan, which 80 per cent of if is probably put in the ground at the time of seeding we don’t have huge emissions,” Boxall explained.
“If there are things we can do better, you bet our farmers and ranchers will adapt, we have been, if you look over the last 40 years of how the prairie farmers have adapted to change from both an environmental perspective and also on production,” Marit added.
While the need to cut greenhouse emissions is top of mind for Saskatchewan farmers, producers say there is also a greater need for production in the world at this time.
“Right now with the geo-political issues we’re seeing around the world, the demands for food security, at no point can policy jeopardize the production of food,” said Boxall.
In Saskatchewan, most nitrogen fertilizer goes into the ground, and the minister says with the provinces’ goals, this could be a disruption.
“Our growth plan says that we’re going to hit 45 million metric tones by 2030. This has a real negative connotation to it that could jeopardize and impact that.”
Either way, Marit insists that the province will work with and for farmers, no matter what.
“The government of Saskatchewan is going to stand behind and stand up for the farmers and ranchers in Saskatchewan.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
NEW Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.