As Dutch farmers protests rage, the head of one of Canada’s premier agricultural groups is warning that strict domestic emissions targets could spur a similar reaction from the industry.
Strict nitrogen and ammonia emissions caps by the Dutch government have sparked nationwide protests. Tens of thousands of farmers and their supporters have formed convoys throughout the country demanding a referendum on government measures.
We can’t let this happen here. We need to stand with our Canadian farm families #cdnag #cdnpoli #agriculture pic.twitter.com/bTspkSTTB3
— John Barlow (@JohnBarlowMP) July 15, 2022
Member’s of the Conservative party are expressing their concern for Canadian farmers. MP John Barlow warns Canada about the EU farmers crisis “The Liberals are following the same farm to fork agenda”. “We could be seeing the exact same thing here in Canada” says Barlow.
In 2020 Trudeau government unveiled their new climate plan, with a focus on reducing nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.
Fertilizers play a major role in the agriculture sector’s success and have contributed to record harvests in the last decade. However, nitrous oxide emissions, particularly those associated with synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use have also grown significantly. That is why the Government of Canada has set the national fertilizer emissions reduction target, which is part of the commitment to reduce total GHG emissions in Canada by 40-45% by 2030.
Any attempt to lower admissions by reducing nitrogen fertilizer will consequently lower crop yields over the next decade, hurting the Agriculture sector and, more importantly, hurting farmers.
The Netherlands 🇳🇱
The food supply shortage in supermarkets. The Netherlands is the second-largest exporter of agriculture in the world. The farmer’s protest and blockade has huge repercussions for the global food supply chain.
No farmers, no food.pic.twitter.com/aB9HSGrpO6
— James Melville 🚜 (@JamesMelville) July 9, 2022
Fertilizer Canada doesn’t believe that forcibly decreasing fertilizer use will even lower greenhouse gases but could lead to carbon leakage elsewhere.
Nonetheless, Trudeau’s government is moving forward, with farmer’s groups speaking to Farmers Forum now.