Federal Budget Supports Climate-Friendly Farming
The following is a part of a media release from our friends at Farmers for Climate Solutions. Find out more at https://farmersforclimatesolutions.ca
Canadian farmers are set to significantly reduce agricultural emissions, says leading group of farmers
The recently-announced Federal Budget brought good news for Canadian agriculture as farmers begin preparing for the upcoming growing season. The government has allocated unprecedented funds to support Canadian farmers in adopting climate-friendly practices, a move that is expected to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated on farms.
This investment will not only translate into increased opportunities for farmers to be part of Canada’s climate solution, but will also benefit all Canadians through healthier air, water and soil, says Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS), the national farmer-led coalition that advocated for what they call these “urgently needed” funds.
“Our national and international customers want us to grow food more sustainably, and with only nine seasons left to achieve Canada’s 2030 target under the Paris Agreement, this investment will support farmers across the country to scale-up practices that are proven to reduce our sector’s emissions,” said Ian McCreary, grain and livestock farmer in SK. “Climate change poses the single largest threat to our sector, and this investment is an imperative for our ongoing success.”
The funding announced in the budget responds directly to FCS’ Budget 2021 recommendation report, which was the result of a first-of its kind farmer-led Task Force.
“As the weather becomes more unpredictable because of climate change, farmers’ jobs get harder, our margins get tighter, and our livelihoods become more vulnerable,” said Arzeena Hamir, vegetable farmer in BC. “This investment enables farmers to do our part to reduce emissions and to build resilience into our businesses. We applaud the government for recognizing that we can’t do this alone but that we are ready to with this kind of support.”
Despite the major capital costs and economic risks associated with changing practices to reduce emissions, innovative farmers across Canada have shown that implementing climate-friendly practices makes good business sense over the long term. This investment will help scale up these practices from fence post to fence post and enable other farmers to adopt them for the first time.
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Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) is a national coalition of farmer-led and farmer supporting organizations representing more than 20,000 Canadian farmers and ranchers from coast to coast. FCS member farmers are already implementing beneficial management practices (BMPs) on their farms and ranches that are known to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs), sequester carbon and increase climate resilience. Public policies and other support mechanisms are needed to significantly broaden adoption of these practices. These supports must acknowledge the diversity of farmers and farming operations in Canada
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