Question Period Note: Fertilizer Emission Reductions

What is the Government of Canada doing to minimize the impact of fertilizer emission reductions on the sector’s productivity?

RESPONSE:

1. We have set a national target to reduce emissions from fertilizer use by 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. The target does not represent a mandatory reduction in the amount of fertilizer used on the farm.

2. The fertilizer target is intended to build upon the sector’s work to date and reduce fertilizer-related emissions while maintaining the sector’s competitiveness and maximizing food production.

3. We are also providing significant new funding to support the sector’s efforts to reduce GHG emissions, including over $1.5 billion in new and expanded funding announced through Budget 2021 and 2022.

4. We are now reviewing over two thousand responses to the consultations and will be publishing a What We Heard Report in the coming weeks.

5. We are committed to a collaborative approach and ongoing dialogue with industry, provinces, and territories to ensure that opportunities are maximized for the agriculture sector.

RESPONSIVE ON SUGGESTIONS THAT THE TARGET WILL PLACE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW MUCH FERTILIZER FARMERS CAN USE:

1. We agree that any plan to reduce agricultural emissions should not restrict the amount of fertilizer that Canadian farmers use, nor should it limit Canada’s ability to maximize food production.

2. The fertilizer emissions reduction target is focused on reducing emissions arising from the application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers in Canada. We are not asking farmers to reduce fertilizer use in a way that will compromise yield.

3. We recognize that farmers are already showing leadership and taking steps to ensure they are applying fertilizer at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right amount.

4. We want to collaborate with the sector to expand the use of new beneficial management practices and new products to achieve additional emissions reductions while maintaining or increasing yield.

RESPONSIVE ON MEASUREMENT OF FERTILIZER EMISSIONS:

1. We recognize that the science on emissions measurement is always improving.

2. The Government of Canada is prioritizing technical discussions on data and measurement throughout the next phase of consultations.

3. We will continue to work with the sector to ensure that their contributions to Canada’s emissions reductions targets are appropriately measured and recognized.

BACKGROUND:

The Government of Canada recognizes that the contribution of Canadian farmers to domestic and global food security has never been more important, which is why we are committed to ensuring their efforts to support sustainable food production are maintained for years to come. The Government also understands that fertilizers are an essential input for Canada’s agricultural crops and significant progress has been made by Canadian farmers in improving efficiency in the use of fertilizer through continued innovation and a commitment to the stewardship of their lands. Canada’s fertilizer emissions target intends to build on the innovation, expertise, dedication, and ingenuity of Canadian farmers to reduce emissions while maintaining and improving the quality and yields Canadian agriculture is known for around the world.

In December 2020, the Government of Canada set a target of reducing emissions associated with fertilizer application to 30 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. Canada’s fertilizer emissions reduction target does not represent a ban nor a mandatory reduction in fertilizer use. Reducing emissions while maintaining or enhancing yields is our goal.

The fertilizer emissions target was developed considering existing approaches available that, when adopted at scale, could help significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use without compromising productivity. These include approaches in line with the principles of 4R Nutrient Stewardship, as well as practices such as reduced tillage, cover crops, irrigation and drainage management, and investments in clean technology and innovation. As growing conditions vary across the country, beneficial management practices that improve nutrient use efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and nutrient losses must be locally selected to account for unique regional circumstances. This is why the Government is focused on voluntary efforts to improve nitrogen management and optimization of fertilizer use, which will not only help to reduce emissions but can also result in long-term improvements in soil health and water quality.

The Government of Canada has been engaging with farmers, representatives from agriculture commodity and producer associations, provinces and territories, and members of the public to develop a collaborative approach to reduce emissions nation-wide. Following the release of the target in 2020, informal consultations took place with key stakeholders during the course of 2021, and on March 4, 2022, the Government launched an open consultation process on how to achieve the fertilizer emissions reduction target. This included release of a discussion document, explaining the objectives, ideas and key areas of focus. In April 2022, AAFC hosted a public town hall to support the consultation and engaged directly with the sector through technical workshops in the Fall of 2022.

While consultation and engagement related to the target are ongoing, the Government of Canada has programs in place for producers to assist in the implementation of a wide range of beneficial management practices that can support efficient nutrient management. Over 2021 and 2022, over $1.5 billion in initiatives for the agriculture sector have been announced, including support for the Agricultural Clean Technology Program, which focuses on the development and adoption of transformative clean technologies, and the Agricultural Climate Solutions Program On-Farm Climate Action Fund which aims to broaden support for climate mitigation practices, including nutrient management.

In addition, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture recently announced agreement on a new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP). This new five-year agreement will inject $3.5 billion in funds over 2023-28, to support the sustainability, competitiveness, and innovation of the agricultural and agri-food sector, so that it can continue to feed Canadians and the world.

Over the coming decades, producers will be called upon to feed a growing global population, and science, innovation and sustainable farming practices will be essential in meeting that challenge. The Government of Canada is committed to continue working in partnership with producers to ensure that they remain competitive while also ensuring that our water, air and soil are sustainable for generations to come.

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