OTTAWA — The Trudeau regime has set up a “fertilizer working group” to help develop a plan for “voluntary” fertilizer emissions cuts in agriculture, a plan that includes improved “measurement and tracking” of fertilizer emissions on Canadian farms.
The group — involving government officials and agricultural industry representatives — was announced in combination with the March 22 release of a repor on the government’s fertilizer consultations. Over 2,000 submissions were received between March and October 2022, and the government says the working group was established as feedback indicated a desire for better communication between government and the ag sector.
Improved tracking and measurement of fertilizer emissions is one of the three objectives set out for the group. It will also work to strengthen dialogue between industry and government, as well as look at ways to support fertilizer emission reductions through program funding and adopting beneficial management practices, according to the government.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Keith Currie noted that the report — titled What We Heard Report on Fertilizer Emissions Reduction — shows “a diversity of perspectives on many key issues, and we are pleased to see the report identify the importance of further engagement in advancing this voluntary approach.”