Canada’s proposed fertilizer emissions reduction target questioned

MELFORT, Sask. — Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) has announced the launch of additional consultations to guide the development of an approach to reduce fertilizer emissions by 30 per cent from 2020 levels by 2030.

AAFC Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau has said while the federal government wants to reduce emissions by the end of the decade it doesn’t mean Ottawa wants to see a 30 per cent reduction in the actual amount of fertilizer used on the land.

A well-know entrepreneur and agrologist is unsure about Ottawa’s final plan.

Rob Saik said the trust level between the Trudeau government and Western Canadian farmers is strained.

“Where did the 30 per cent number come from? I would like to know where the hell the number came from. Why not 25 per cent why not 20. Where did the number come from?” Saik said.