Ontario farm groups pull out of federal sustainable ag strategy committee for focusing on climate change fears, not science

Nelson Zandbergen
Farmers Forum

OTTAWA — In a blow to the teetering Liberal government’s key climate strategy for agriculture, six national crop organizations have abruptly pulled out of a federal committee advising Ottawa on the so-called Sustainable Agriculture Strategy, saying it “does not fully represent the interests” of their members.

The involved commodity groups — the Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canola Council of Canada, Cereals Canada, Grain Growers of Canada, Pulse Canada, and Soy Canada — expressed concern with the strategy’s “direction” and collectively announced their withdrawal from the committee on Dec. 16 — the same day that Parliament was rocked by Finance Minister Cynthia Freeland’s bombshell resignation from the Trudeau cabinet.

In short, the ag groups say the federal government takes climate change too seriously. The federal government expressed disappointment that the farm groups don’t take climate change seriously enough.

“Canadian agriculture is the most sustainable in the world, and our organizations share the belief that any sustainability measures must be practical, science-based, market driven and beneficial for growers, the value-chain, and the environment,” the groups said in a joint statement provided to Farmers Forum.

“Our organizations have concerns about the government’s current Sustainable Agriculture Strategy…. Together, we have consistently voiced that there is a lack of industry alignment regarding the targets and actions proposed in the SAS. As a result, we have collectively decided to step back from the advisory committee, as the strategy’s direction does not fully represent the interests of our members.

“We remain committed to working with the government on crucial areas such as market access, research investment, innovation, and supply chain resiliency to advance the sector’s growth and sustainability.”

The groups offered no further comment.

The strategy represents Ottawa’s long-term plan to “improve” agriculture by making international climate targets as much of a concern on the farm as making money or profits. Of particular concern to the cropping sector, the Trudeau government wants a 30 % reduction in emissions from nitrogen fertilizer by 2030, while claiming this will be achieved voluntarily and without cuts in fertilizer use.

Annie Cullinan, spokeswoman for Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence, described the groups’ pull-out as “deeply disappointing” after “years of hard work and widespread participation from right across the sector, including producers, industry groups, environmental organizations, and Indigenous partners.”

Said Cullinan: “Farmers are facing the impacts of climate change directly. Fires, floods and drought cause production losses and drive up costs — both for farmers and Canadians. On top of that, our customers around the world are looking for top-quality, sustainable products. Failing to take the threat of climate change seriously would have devastating impacts on Canada’s agricultural sector….

“The Sustainable Agriculture Strategy will provide a roadmap that keeps the sector strong for generations to come by balancing environmental sustainability, profitability, and competitiveness. It’s deeply disappointing that these organizations have chosen to step away from this important initiative. Every opportunity was taken by Minister MacAulay to ensure the voices of grain and oilseed farmers would be heard loud and clear in the Strategy. We will continue to work hand in hand with farm groups who believe in the importance of improving environmental sustainability in Canadian agriculture.”