Agriculture Canada announces another round of consultations about its goal to cut nitrous oxide emissions by 30 percent
Farmers, farm groups and others in the agriculture industry have until the end of August to comment on the federal government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer.
Agriculture Canada has announced another round of consultations regarding its goal to cut nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer by 30 percent during the next eight years.
When nitrogen fertilizer is applied to cropland, some of the nitrogen can be lost to the atmosphere as nitrous oxide (N2O), a powerful greenhouse gas that is 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
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In 2019, emissions from nitrogen fertilizer were 12.75 million tonnes in carbon dioxide equivalents. The government hopes to reduce that number to about nine million tonnes by 2030, but wants more feedback on the plan.
Producers and others who want to share their thoughts can send an email to aafc.fertilizer-engrais.aac@agr.gc.ca or visit this government website, and fill out a survey.
This recent request for feedback is one of multiple consultations with the ag sector during the last two years over the government’s controversial plan to cut emissions related to fertilizer.
Many farmers and ag groups have challenged the government over the reduction target because nitrogen fertilizer is a critical input for crop production. Reducing its use could impact yields and future yield gains.
“Right now, the way I would see the general mood about this is a concern. Maybe a little bit of fear,” Jake Leguee, who farms near Weyburn, Sask., and is a vice-chair of SaskWheat, said earlier this year. “This is something that has a direct impact on our ability to produce profitable crops.”
Agriculture Canada representatives have said it isn’t about reducing the use of nitrogen fertilizers.
Instead, the official message is that the federal government wants to improve nutrient management and reduce emissions while maintaining and improving the quality and yield of Canada’s crops.
Put another way, through innovation and by changing practices, the feds believe it’s possible to cut N2O emissions from fertilizer and increase crop yields.
“Practices such as the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, minimizing fall application and/or broadcasting of fertilizers, increased use of pulses in crop rotations, and annual soil testing can improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce emissions,” Agriculture Canada said in a discussion document explaining its emission reduction goal.
Some experts are skeptical about the emissions reduction target and whether it can be achieved by 2030.
Peter Slade, a University of Saskatchewan agricultural economist and Canadian Canola Growers Association chair in agricultural policy, said with improved crop varieties that use nitrogen more efficiently and other technologies, it might be possible to cut emissions and increase yields.
But that will take time, perhaps 15 to 25 years.
“In the long run, there is R&D that could happen to reduce emissions. But I think in the short run any of these policies are going have a pretty marginal impact,” Slade said in April. “I would be skeptical of that (30 percent reduction) target…. You need to look at success at meeting any emission target that the government has put out (in the past). That skepticism would be warranted.”
Some ag groups, though, are encouraged that the government has been willing to listen and adapt the plan based on feedback.
Many soil fertility experts and industry groups have championed the 4R approach to nutrient stewardship, which means following the practices of right time, right place, right rate and right source.
In its discussion document, Agriculture Canada notes that 4R will reduce emissions and maintain crop yields, if enough farmers adopt the approach.
“Existing data from Fertilizer Canada and the 4R Research Network indicate that the implementation of a 4R program can reduce fertilizer-related emissions while maintaining and-or improving crop yields, with suggestions that the widespread adoption of 4R in Western Canada could reduce emissions by two to three megatonnes — or 50 to 75 percent of the government’s emission reduction target.”
Agriculture’s Canada discussion document on reducing emissions from fertilizer can be found here.
The deadline for comment is Aug. 31.
