Canada’s proposed fertilizer emissions reduction target questioned

MELFORT, Sask. — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has announced the launch of additional consultations to guide the development of an approach to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030.

AAFC Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has said while the federal government wants to reduce emissions by the end of the decade it doesn’t mean Ottawa wants to see a 30 per cent reduction in the actual amount of fertilizer used on the land.

A well-know entrepreneur and agrologist is unsure about Ottawa’s final plan.

Rob Saik said the trust level between the Trudeau government and Western Canadian farmers is strained.

“Where did the 30 per cent number come from? I would like to know where the hell the number came from. Why not 25 per cent why not 20. Where did the number come from?” Saik said.

Higher diesel and fertilizer prices are squeezing farm profit margins ahead of the midterm elections. Farmers in Iowa and Kansas discuss rising harvest costs, the war in Iran and whether those pressures will change their votes. Peter Tubbs reports on the debate over farm input costs and the differing political responses across the Corn Belt.