By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com
The Ontario government announced the introduction of a new Greener Diesel Mandate on Thursday, which is receiving high praise from farm groups like Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO).
Soybean growers stand to benefit from the new mandate, which will require a two percent blend in biodiesel, and a four percent inclusion by 2017.
GFO, the province’s largest commodity organization representing Ontario’s 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat growers predicts that the mandate will create a potential market for about 68,000 tonnes of soybeans.
The new rules went into effect April 1st.
“The creation of an Ontario Greener Diesel mandate will reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by the transportation sector and will help build a market for made-in-Ontario soy biodiesel,” Henry Van Ankum, Chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario said in a release.
According to a government release, by 2017, the province aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 600,000 tonnes a year, which is equivalent to taking approximately 140,000 cars off the road.
The mandate was also welcomed by the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, which called it “fantastic news” for renewable fuel producers and farmers alike.