Taking action in support of our vital natural resource sector

At a time when global food shortages are causing prices to soar, there are discussions in Ottawa about introducing a policy that will see farmers use 30% less fertilizer by 2030.

Add your name to the growing list of Canadians who want to protect our food supply, instead of overregulating our farmers.

Similar fertilizer reduction policies have already been implemented in Europe, where they have been met by a decisive public backlash from Dutch farmers.

In Canada’s case, agricultural experts warn that a 30% reduction in fertilizer will cause a significant reduction in Canadian crop yield. According to a study done by Fertilizer Canada: 

“Canada could lose over 160 million metric tons of canola, corn and spring wheat between 2023 and 2030 due to the plan, according to the report. That’s nearly double Canada’s expected grain production this season.”

Put another way, Canada’s key crops could lose food equal to two full years of production over the next eight years if they were forced to reduce their fertilizer use by 30%. 

The financial impact of such a change would be immediately felt by farmers and Canada as a whole:

• A typical farmer with 1000 acres of canola and 1000 acres of wheat, would lose approximately $40,000 annually. 
• Reducing a crops yield per acre is very costly for farmers. Since they will still have to farm the same amount of land, their operation costs would change very little, and the loss of yield will come straight off their actual income.
• As a result, Canada’s economy would directly lose nearly $10B over the next decade.

However, the concern around this fertilizer reduction plan is about more than just money. It is about protecting the food on our tables.

With global food supplies already stretched thin, and a growing Canadian population, this drastic policy shift could have serious implications on our nation’s food supply, and your family’s food security.

Protecting Canada’s food security must be among the highest priorities in our country.

This proposal has come from our federal government as part of their plan to reach “net zero”, in an effort to protect the environment.

But there is little reason why we can’t protect our food security, while also protecting the planet simultaneously.

We all recognize that it’s critically important to reduce our environmental impact, and Canadian farmers and ranchers are no exception.

The hard working Canadian families who work to put food on our tables every day are leading the way when it comes to environmental conservation. Hundreds of thousands of Canadians from every single province are working in agriculture. 

Whether they are growing fertilizer dependent crops, or producing meat through livestock, they are all producing high quality food in line with very responsible environmental and social standards. For example:

• Our canola producers reduced their GHG emissions by 71% between 1981 and 2011.
• Canadian beef producers have half the global average carbon footprint.
• Each unit of beef produed 15% less greenhouse gas emissions in 2011 compared to 1981.
• There are already 138 Agricultural Clean Technology initiatives underway to improve farming practices across Canada.

It makes very little practical sense to target Canada’s environmentally responsible farmers and ranchers, when they are already doing their part to protect the planet.

Add your name and help us protect our food.