Canadian Farmers Warn That Emission Restrictions Will Cause Crop Production To Plummet

Majority of farmers warn Trudeau’s emission restrictions would cause crop production to plummet

ClareMarieMerkowsky

Nearly three quarters of Canadian farmers warn that crop yield will drop drastically under Trudeau’s proposed emission restrictions. 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) advised against requiring farmers to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizer as a recent survey shows 72% of farmers warn it will lead to a plummet in crop production. 

“Nitrogen fertilizer is an essential crop nutrient and an important input for Canadian farmers,” CFIB policy analyst Taylor Brown stated.  

“Forcing them to reduce their use of fertilizer would result in decreased yield of their crop, less profitability and competitiveness,” he added. “Given the current global challenges to food supply, now is not the time to add policies that threaten to reduce yields even further.” 

“The federal government should give farmers more autonomy and provide support if they want to voluntarily improve their nitrogen management and adopt better practices,” Brown asserted.  

According to CFIB data, 60% of businesses revealed that mandating reduction of nitrogen would decrease the profit of their businesses, while 42% reveal it would prove an additional challenge as they have already reduced their nitrogen fertilizer use. 

Additionally, many Canadian farmers are already voluntarily implementing or plan to implement methods to reduce nitrogen emissions, including conservation tillage, annual soil testing for nitrogen, and rotating in nitrogen-fixing crops. 

In July, the Trudeau government unveiled plans to force farmers to reduce nitrogen emissions by 30%, as part of the government’s goal to reduce total GHG emissions in Canada by 40-45% by 2030. 

However, a report from Fertilizer Canada stated, “It is estimated that a 30% absolute emission reduction for a farmer with 1000 acres of canola and 1000 acres of wheat, stands to have their profit reduced by approximately $38,000 – $40,500/ annually.” 

The suggestion to reduce emissions has sparked outrage across the provinces, as farmers push back against the proposed mandate. In July, both Alberta and Saskatchewan released a statement expressing their dismay with the proposed initiative.