By Nathan Stevens
Ontario’s Environmental Commissioner Gord Miller recently released his 2013/14 report to the legislature titled Managing New Challenges. One of the chapters focuses on the challenges agriculture is facing on the environment front, both good and bad. Of particular note are the comments on the role of the Local Food Act and the plight of the pollinator in building a more sustainable agriculture sector.
The Local Food Act, 2013 has the potential to change Ontario agriculture for the better in terms of sustainability. The Commissioner argues that localized food systems foster resiliency in communities. He argues that interacting with the local food system enhances environmental literacy. In order to be more sustainable, farming will need to meet environmental challenges related to things like chemical use and reducing emissions. The commissioner argues that “food miles” are an intuitive way of measuring the greenhouse gas emissions of food transportation, but cautions that local is not synonymous with sustainable.
From where I sit, the acknowledgement that the terms “local” and “sustainable” are not the same is tremendously important as the province sets targets for public institutions. There are definitely opportunities to be more sustainable in agriculture through the local food movement, but we need to do our homework to ensure local food is more sustainable than an imported food. The food still needs to be produced in an efficient manner, and needs to be transported at a scale that uses the fewest loads possible to fill our local market needs. To make “food miles” work, there is the need to make sure the sector is still focused on efficient logistics and good management, rather than making assumptions about what method is more sustainable.
The issue of neonic pesticides was raised by the commissioner as a growing global concern. Pollinators are important from a biodiversity and eco-system stability perspective, wherein the loss of a pollination network will have repercussions for the entire ecosystem. The Commissioner recommends that if the Federal government changes around dust mitigation are not effective, additional action will be required. There is also the need to get a handle on the impact on wild populations. Integrated pest management is encouraged and prophylactic use needs to be discouraged or controlled.
From where I sit, the agriculture sector has a tremendous amount of work to do to curb prophylactic use of neonics. It is clearly an environment challenge, but it is also a social challenge as this concern is moving the bar on agriculture’s social license to operate. This will mean farmers will have to enhance their management techniques to mitigate the potential economic challenges that come with change. On a final note of encouragement, the sector was able to overcome the banning of DDT and limitations in other areas, and we will be able to overcome changes in neonic use as well.
Gord Miller’s report to the legislature has underscored some very important opportunities and challenges. The Local Food Act represents an opportunity to build a more sustainable food system. The plight of pollinators highlights the need for change and improved management techniques in the area of pest management. The sector can meet these challenges and take advantage of these opportunities if we have the vision and leadership to take them on in a constructive manner.
Source: CFFO