The Federal Government is proposing a cut to emissions that would affect the amount of fertilizer Canadian farmers would be able to use. Keystone Agricultural Producers President, Bill Campbell says this would drastically lower Canadian producers' outputs, at a time when the world food supply can't afford the hit.
"We need to ensure that there is food security, and food affordability in this nation, as well as in the world." "If we are impacted by some of the restrictions of our tools that we can use, I think those particular issues are in jeopardy."
Campbell says the changes don't take into account the previous practices that are in place, and is just a total cut of 30 percent.
"When you consider the last century where agriculture has been, and some of the practices with regard to the dirty 30s. Farmers realize that is their livelihood, and we have seen a tremendous shift in towards land stewardship, and looking after the land which provides them their livelihood and their income."
Campbell went on to say the practices of the Canadian Fertilizer Industry are world-renowned for their greenhouse gas footprint. Farmers are a part of that productivity, and they ensure that every pound purchased and put into the ground is used as efficiently as possible to enhance production.
"Our understanding is that there is a 12 month investigation period in regards to this, and the hope of the industry is that there will be in-depth consultations with regards to this conversation because it is of great concern to the agricultural community about the impact that these reductions may cause"
