OFA responds to climate change discussion paper

GUELPH, ON  – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) welcomes the release of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change’s discussion paper on climate change yesterday. Weather impacts every aspect of the business of farming and the OFA wants to ensure the agriculture industry is fully recognized for existing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make sure agriculture has a voice in climate change policy discussions.

“Ontario farming practices already serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and farmers are constantly evolving farm practices to decrease emissions,” says Don McCabe, OFA president.

Innovation and technology have also enabled Ontario’s agriculture industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the development of bioproducts, biomaterials and renewable energy. These technologies offer an alternative to petroleum products used in manufacturing, reducing carbon and emissions.

“Farmers are adopting recommendations or looking at changing their farming practices to reduce greenhouse gasses or to adapt to extreme weather conditions,” says McCabe, noting recommended strategies are available for livestock and soil management and crop production.

It’s important to recognize climate impacts agriculture more than any other industry. The OFA will be making a formal submission to the climate change discussion paper and looks forward to working with the MOECC and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to ensure agriculture is at the table when climate change programs and policies are discussed and that efforts made by Ontario farmers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are recognized.

The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) is the largest general farm organization in Ontario, representing 37,000 farm families across the province. As a dynamic farmer-led organization based in Guelph, the OFA works to represent and champion the interests of Ontario farmers through government relations, farm policy recommendations, research, lobby efforts, community representation, media relations and more. OFA is the leading advocate for Ontario’s farmers and is Ontario’s voice of the farmer.

Source: OFA