Fertilizer Canada commends the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry for their important work on soil health and recently released report, Critical Ground: Why Soil is Essential to Canada’s Economic, Environmental, Human, and Social Health. Soil health is the foundation of Canada’s agriculture sector and vital to food security. Fertilizer Canada provided testimony to the committee highlighting the role 4R Nutrient Stewardship plays in soil health, and we are pleased to see the release of the report.
Data collection, research, innovation and technology, including 4R Nutrient Stewardship, and adequate funding will be vital in protecting Canada’s soil health. Fertilizer Canada commends the committee’s efforts to draw attention to this important issue and supports collaboration across federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and most importantly, farmers and the agriculture industry.
Farmers, including early adopters, should have access to programs that incentivize practices that protect soil health, such as the creation of carbon markets. The federal government should consider implementing a national offset protocol for fertilizer emissions reductions so farmers can generate and sell credits for implementing best management practices. Soil health protects domestic and international food security, and we look forward to continuing to work with all levels of government to raise awareness of its importance and increase adoption of best management practices to help protect it.
Source : Fertilizer Canada