The federal government has been very clear it wants farmers to cut emissions caused by the fertilizer they use to grow your food.
However, Canadian grain farmers are always some of the lowest per bushel users of fertilizer in the world. A mandated reduction in fertilizer will have severe downstream impacts on Canadian consumers – and will create more CO2 emissions.
The Issues
Check out a comprehensive report on the impacts of this proposed policy here.
Cutting fertilizer means fewer crops. It’s that simple. That means higher prices for consumers and reduced food supply. The poor will be hit hardest. Canadians are already facing record food inflation, this policy will make it much worse. And, since Canadian farmers export to the world, cutting crop yields for our farmers will mean more wheat is bought from countries that use more fertilizer than we do. That means more CO2 produced globally.
A reduction in fertilizer use is contrary to the UN goal of eliminating world hunger by 2030.
Our Position
Fertilizer is one of a farmer’s biggest expenses. We already use as little as possible.
A mandated cut has to be opposed, not just for farmers’ sake, but for Canadian consumers – especially the underprivileged, who will face higher prices for basic staples.
Canada's Chief Science Advisor, Mona Nemer, acknowledges she doesn't know if reducing fertilizer by 30% will reduce food production or not.