The Western Canadian Wheat Growers are shocked by the depth of the impact of the federal government’s proposed 30% reduction in fertilizer emissions. Fertilizer Canada has had an independent analysis of the effects of the proposed emissions reduction.
The analysis by Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) calculates that
“If Canada adopts the EU model, the potential economic impact of reduced fertilizer use would be devastating to Canadian farmers.”
The calculations show that by 2030, the prairie provinces will have the following losses:
- Alberta – $2.95B loss in their Canola and Spring Wheat crops
- Saskatchewan – $4.61B loss in their Canola and Spring Wheat crops
- Manitoba – $1.58B loss in their Canola, Corn, and Spring Wheat crops
The accumulated cost to individual farmers is enormous. These losses cannot be passed on to the end consumer because grain and oilseed production is priced on the world market. This has serious implications on Canada’s food security.
“This analysis shows the proposed Canadian changes have the possibility of devastating our agriculture value chain. Farmers don’t need the government to tell them how to properly use fertilizer. We engage crop consultants, soil tests and use the latest technology available to us. Our government should be strongly supporting the agronomic techniques that we have put into practice,”
stated Gunter Jochum, President.
Calculations show that Canadian prairie farmers are net-zero emitters. With the many agricultural and technological advances that have been made over the past two decades, Canadian farmers have been leading the charge around healthy soils and carbon sequestration.
“Proposed policies such as this impact every farmer’s bottom line, and make me question whether there is a future for me as a farmer in Canada. Many of my peers will be questioning their farming future as well,”
closed Fiona Jochum, daughter of President Jochum.
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