Province begins to tackle climate change strategy; discussion paper warns farmers will have to rethink their crop strategy

Thursday, February 12, 2015

by MIKE BEAUDIN

Ontario farmers will have to change their growing practices and rethink their crop strategy to adapt to climate change as the province moves toward a carbon pricing policy, says a discussion paper released by Environment Minister Glen Murray.

Murray released a wide-ranging climate change strategy discussion paper on Thursday that will move the province toward either a cap-and-trade system or a direct carbon tax.

A cap-and-trade system lets the worst polluters buy credits from users that burn less fossil fuel while a straight carbon tax is imposed on all carbon emissions, including gasoline burned by vehicles.

In a recent interview with Better Farming, Ontario Federation of Agriculture President Don McCabe said he favours a cap-and-trade carbon policy that would see farmers rewarded for the removal and storage of carbon dioxide in the soil. The OFA also sees opportunities for the agricultural sector to produce more biofuels, like ethanol, to replace fossil fuels.

A cap and trade system could see farmers make money because companies with carbon emissions could pay them to sequester carbon through planting trees, practising no-till farming or developing better nutrient management. They can turn the stored carbon into credits that could be sold.

In a news release Friday, McCabe said it’s important to recognize climate impacts agriculture more than any other industry.

He said the OFA wants to ensure the agriculture industry is fully recognized for existing efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make sure agriculture has a voice in climate change policy discussions.

“Ontario farming practices already serve to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and farmers are constantly evolving farm practices to decrease emissions,” said McCabe, in the release.

Innovation and technology have also enabled Ontario’s agriculture industry to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the development of bioproducts, biomaterials and renewable energy. These technologies offer an alternative to petroleum products used in manufacturing, reducing carbon and emissions, he said.

“Farmers are adopting recommendations or looking at changing their farming practices to reduce greenhouse gasses or to adapt to extreme weather conditions,” said McCabe, noting recommended strategies are available for livestock and soil management and crop production.

The paper says the agriculture sector will have to cope with extreme weather that is now considered the new “normal.” Severe weather across North America, caused by climate change, has already resulted in produce shortages in Ontario stores.

Increased heat stress will bring the threat of new pests and crop infections. It will also create uncertain growing conditions for some crops.

The paper says agriculture and forestry are unique because they emit greenhouse gasses through fuel use and transportation, but they also remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in soil and vegetation.

It says farmers can better manage greenhouse gas emissions through improved fertilizer use and increase soil health through best practices including adopting different crop types, crop rotations, modified tillage, and residue and manure management.

The government discussion paper will be posted on the Environmental Registry for 45 days while ‎meetings will be held across the province. Murray said it will take another six months to design a carbon pricing policy.

McCabe said the OFA will be making a formal submission. BF