Canada can continue to increase crop yields while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer with tools and technology instead of a cap, according to a report done by Fertilizer Canada and the Canola Council of Canada (CCC). .“We support the federal government’s strong push to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions, but we cannot sacrifice food productivity,” said Fertilizer Canada president and CEO Karen Proud in a Wednesday press release. .“The approach to 2030 must be realistic, balance agricultural emission reductions with food production, and remain voluntary.”.The report said supporting farmers to increase crop yields is necessary to meet Canada’s agricultural export targets and global demand. .It went on to say a 14% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 is possible without jeopardizing food supply through Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place Best Management Practices (4R BMPs). It added 4R BMPs can help farmers optimize fertilizer to reduce environmental impacts and maximize economic outputs. .The report looked at three scenarios for major Canadian farming systems across Canada and set a path to 2030 based on implementing 4R BMPs. It examined the effects of the 4Rs on GHG emissions and the economic impact to farmers. .By increasing crop yields and reducing fertilizer emissions through reasonable levels of the 4Rs, farm revenues would go up by $4.3 billion by 2030. The cost to implement this initiative would be $495 million per year..The report said the level and amount of 4R BMPs needed and costs vary by province. It continued by saying Canadian government programs and policies require consultations with provinces, farm groups, and the fertilizer industry..“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to reducing fertilizer emissions, and it must be balanced with farm productivity and economic viability,” said CCC president Jim Everson. .“This report helps underscore the need to work collaboratively with farmers and industry across regions to ensure farmers have the flexibility and support to use the practices that are best suited to their farms and injects some new science-based data and economic analysis into this ongoing discussion.”.Fertilizer Canada and the CCC said for government programs to be effective, the data used to measure emissions reduction targets should change to an intensity-based approach rather than an absolute reduction. Emissions intensity reduction emphasizes reducing the emissions it takes to produce a bushel of crop, yet an absolute reduction would put a cap on the amount of fertilizer farmers use and restrict the amount of food they grow..“Farmers are stewards of the land, and most Canadians believe they are best suited to understand the needs of their crops and their impact on the environment,” said Proud. .The Saskatchewan and Alberta governments condemned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his fertilizer emission reduction targets in July. .READ MORE: Saskatchewan, Alberta governments express disappointment in fertilizer emission reductions."We're really concerned with this arbitrary goal," said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit. ."The Trudeau government has apparently moved on from their attack on the oil and gas industry and set their sights on Saskatchewan farmers."
