While the Alberta government and its energy sector gird their loins for
a political and constitutional war over Ottawa’s decision to ratify the
Kyoto Accord on climate change, the province’s farmers are far from
certain it is a bad deal.
Like farmers across the country, Alberta producers are weighing the
pros and cons and seeing some good in the proposal to cut Canada’s
emissions of pollutants such as carbon dioxide, which is blamed for
helping cause global warming.
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“Certainly, Kyoto does provide some opportunities for agriculture,”
said Rod Scarlett of Wild Rose Agricultural Producers.
“If revenues it might generate exceed increased expenses it will bring,
then obviously we would be net beneficiaries. There is potential, but I
think the jury is out. The sector needs to be convinced of the positive
side.”
There was a similar message from other farm groups.
On the positive side is the potential for increased commodity sales to
produce ethanol, and credits for farmland’s carbon-absorbing capacity.
On the negative is the potential for higher fossil fuel prices caused
by a carbon tax or other price ways to discourage use of those fuels.
“There has been a lot of government emphasis on the potential of
ethanol and carbon sinks,” said Cam Dahl, executive director of Grain
Growers of Canada. “There hasn’t been a lot of discussion on the cost
side. There is a question of how sensitive farm net income is to an
increase in energy costs.”
The Canadian Federation of Agriculture will discuss Kyoto at an October
board of directors meeting, said executive secretary Brigid Rivoire.
Last week, Ontario farmer Geri Kamenz, chair of the CFA’s environment
committee, said the costs could be high.
“It is estimated the price of electricity could increase anywhere from
four to 16 percent as a result of the implementation of the Kyoto
Accord by our government,” he said.
In early September, prime minister Jean Chrétien announced plans to put
the Kyoto Accord to a parliamentary vote by the end of the year.
