Coalition of national farm organizations urge rapid adoption to provide relief and maintain competitiveness for Canadian farmers and ranchers
Feb 7, 2022 (Ottawa, Ontario) – On news that Bill C-234, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act has been introduced for first reading in the House of Commons, the Agriculture Carbon Alliance (ACA) would like to commend MP Ben Lobb (Huron-Bruce) for bringing forward this urgently-needed legislation on behalf of Canadian farmers and ranchers.
Bill C-234 will amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act to expand the definition of eligible farming machinery and extend the exemption for qualifying farming fuel to marketable natural gas and propane.
“As a national coalition of industry-wide farm organizations, we are focused on prioritising practical solutions to ensure our farmers and ranchers can remain competitive and utilize the tools available to them where no alternative fuel sources exist,” says Dave Carey, Co-Chair of ACA. “This Bill will provide economic relief for our members, freeing up the working capital they need to implement environmental innovations on farm.”
The proposed legislation builds on Bill C-206, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and S-215, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. By amending the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Bill C-234 will cover on-farm exemptions from carbon pricing for critical farming practices including grain drying, heating, and cooling livestock barns and greenhouses, steam flaking and irrigation.
“By adopting policies that enable producers to remain competitive, they will be able to further their investments in the sustainability of their operations, which will augment the sector’s potential to further lower emissions and sequester carbon” adds Scott Ross, Co-Chair of ACA. “We look forward to engaging with parliamentarians and policymakers on the opportunities that Canadian agriculture can provide as both a driver of the economy and an environmental solutions provider.”
ACA will continue to advocate for Bill C-234 as it moves through the legislative process and encourages all members of Parliament to move this legislation forward to serve the interests of hardworking Canadian farmers and ranchers – and, ultimately, all Canadians.
ACA is a national coalition of 14 farm organizations committed to meaningful and collaborative dialogue with the federal government around carbon pricing. Our membership encompasses all major agriculture commodities and represents more than 190,000 farm businesses, generating more than $70 billion in farm cash receipts in 2020. Canada’s farmers are the heart of an agri-food value chain contributing more than $140 billion annually and providing 1 in 8 Canadian jobs.
Our members include Canadian Canola Growers Association, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canadian Cattlemen’s Association, Grain Growers of Canada, Canadian Pork Council, Egg Farmers of Canada, Chicken Farmers of Canada, Turkey Farmers of Canada, Canadian Horticultural Council, Canadian Hatching Egg Producers, Canadian Forage and Grassland Association, National Sheep Network, National Cattle Feeders’ Association, and Dairy Farmers of Canada.
Canadian Federation of Agriculture:
“Producers across Canada are working every day to improve the sustainability of their operations. This continuous improvement is reliant on the commercialization of new viable on-farm technologies that come with significant capital expenses. This proposed legislation helps ensure farmers have the capital needed to make those investments and continue to realize the sector’s potential as climate solutions-providers.” – Mary Robinson, President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Canadian Pork Council:
“Having barn heating costs subject to the carbon price is especially challenging for producers given that they are responsible for the welfare of their animals. In Canada’s climate, producers have no choice but to manage the temperatures in barns to ensure the care of our animals.” – Rick Bergmann, Chair of Canadian Pork Council
Grain Growers of Canada:
“Canada’s grain farmers welcome the introduction of this bill and appreciate the exemptions included for critical on-farm activities – including grain drying. Through this relief from the carbon tax, our farmer members would have additional capital to invest in innovative technologies and sustainable practices that reduce emissions.” – Andre Harpe, Chair of Grain Growers of Canada
Canadian Hatching Egg Producers:
“Canadas hatching egg farmers represent an important segment of the poultry industry. Our farmers work hard to be at the forefront of innovation for sustainability while striving for efficiency at every opportunity. Bill C-234 will provide necessary support on farms to help alleviate financial pressures and ensure capital is available to reinvest in our farm operations to continuously improve our sustainability.” – Brian Bilkes, Chair of Canadian Hatching Egg Producers
Canadian Canola Growers Association:
“Canola farmers are committed to a sustainable future and have established production goals to support that commitment. I have made investments on my farm to retrofit my natural gas grain dryer, making it more energy efficient. While this is an important step, farmers today simply do not have viable fuel alternatives available for drying grain, which is why Bill C-234 is so important.” – Mike Ammeter, Chair of Canadian Canola Growers Association
Canadian Cattlemen’s Association:
“Beef farmers and ranchers are continuously looking at ways to environmentally improve operations and further contribute positively to Canada’s climate change objectives. Bill C-234 will provide the much needed exemptions for critical farming practices including heating and cooling of livestock barns and steam flaking.” – Bob Lowe, President of Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Canadian Horticultural Council:
“Canadian fruit and vegetable growers are committed to being a part of global climate solutions and the sustainability of their operations. We believe the support for farmers found in Bill C-234, will incentivize continued innovation, and recognizes that farmers need a range of feasible fuel and energy options. Ultimately, this will benefit the entire food value chain, including Canadian consumers.” – Jan VanderHout, President of Canadian Horticultural Council
Chicken Farmers of Canada:
“Canadian chicken farmers constantly advance our operations in order to improve bird health and welfare, and to ameliorate environmental stewardship and sustainability on the farm. Through the implementation of good production practices, chicken farmers are taking steps to ensure that our sector is environmentally sustainable for decades to come. We look to our partners in government and in the House of Commons to provide legislative and financial support for farmers so we can keep feeding Canadians.” – Benoît Fontaine, Chair of Chicken Farmers of Canada
Media contact:
Cole Christensen
Communications Consultant
Email: cole@colesag.com
Phone: 403-589-3529
