Proposed fertilizer emissions reduction will hurt farmers income

Oct 6, 2021 | 12:58 PM

MELFORT, SASK. — An independent analysis warns of a major financial impact of a proposed federal fertilizer emission reduction of 30 per cent.

Fertilizer Canada hired Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) to calculate what would happen if Canada adopted the European Union (EU) model that looked at a 20 per cent reduction in the use of fertilizer.

Using that scenario as a guideline, the study showed the potential for a $48 billion loss in farm income if fertilizer reductions are required of growers.

Fertilizer president and CEO Karen Proud said the calculations, based only on canola, corn and spring wheat crops showed by 2030, Alberta farmers would lose $2.95 billion, Saskatchewan $4.61 billion and $1.58 billion for Manitoba producers.

Proud said this report contains important information that will be shared with the federal government to emphasize the impact on producers.

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Western Canadian Wheat Growers president Gunter Jochum said the accumulated cost to individual farmers is enormous.

He said the losses cannot be passed on to the end consumer because grain and oilseed production is priced on the world market.

“This analysis shows the proposed Canadian changes have the possibility of devastating our agriculture value chain,” Jochum said. “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.”

Jochum said the federal government should be strongly supporting the agronomic techniques that have been put into practice.

by Alice McFarlane