The announcement
late this summer that Prime Minister Chrétien would seek ratification
of the Kyoto agreement for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions initiated
a national debate that has become increasingly polarized over the last few weeks.
We’ve seen provinces line up in opposition to the federal government, industry
square off against environmental groups, and public opinion surveys offered
up as proof in support of each of the widely disparate positions. A broad range
of scientific opinion has been offered for public consumption: from dire warnings
of the urgency of the climate change problem to equally fervent assertions that
it doesn’t exist at all, and even if it did, the measures outlined under
Kyoto would do nothing to address the situation on a global level.
Still, however the current political debate plays out (adoption of Kyoto timetable
vs. made-in-Canada solutions), there is virtually no doubt that Canada will
enact measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. And for farmers that will
bring a range of both challenges and opportunities.
Corn farmers already provide both environmental benefits and reduced GHG emissions
in a number of ways. The adoption of no-till and conservation tillage increases
soil organic matter through the sequestration of carbon in soil sinks. Reduced
fossil fuel usage through no-till and minimum till production reduces carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions. The responsible use of agricultural nutrients ensures
that optimum fertilizer balance is achieved for crop growth while reducing the
potential for nitrous oxide (N2O) loss. Bio-based fuels such as corn ethanol
draw on renewable resources and reduce smog, other atmospheric pollutants and
‘global warming’. Corn can be used as a renewable feedstock for the
production of bio-based products such as plastics, thereby reducing our dependence
on fossil fuels. The area of bio-based industrial feedstocks is expected to
provide a broad range of new marketing and development opportunities for corn.
Much of our collective effort is recognized, at least in principle, in the federal
government’s Climate Change Draft Action Plan that was released late in
October (available on the Internet at http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/
actions/what_are/pdf/draft_plan.pdf). Although short on detail, the document
provides some indication of the directions that Canada’s GHG emissions
reduction plan will take. The ability of sound agricultural and forest management
to provide significant ‘credits’ for carbon sinks is acknowledged,
and the plan provides a commitment to develop several areas that can benefit
farmers directly as well as achieve the larger societal benefits of environmental
improvement.
The ‘Innovation and Technology’ section of the plan cites both renewable
energy and bioproducts as key areas for development, well in keeping with the
goals and priorities of OCPA.
One key area of concern in the draft plan is the apparent lack of recognition
for actions already undertaken within agricultural and other industrial sectors.
‘Credit for early action’ taken to reduce GHG emissions is expected
to be a significant topic for discussion as the federal and provincial governments
along with key stakeholder groups determine the details of emissions reduction
plans.
In the larger picture, there are also many questions regarding the overall impact
of the implementation of a GHG emissions reduction protocol on the agricultural
industry. Such a program could have far-reaching effects, touching everything
from crop input prices and energy costs to international trade patterns. To
date, there has been little work done in this area.
Of interest to corn producers, the federal government’s draft plan DOES
make a commitment to increased ethanol production using a system of national
targets or standards. OCPA has long supported the increased production and use
of ethanol in Ontario for a great number of reasons: as well as increasing markets
for corn, it provides considerable social, economic and environmental benefits.
Corn-based ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality, reduces
dependence on non-renewable energy sources, and provides significant opportunities
for rural economic development.
Ontario has many natural advantages to offer as a site for ethanol production
– the availability of feedstock, close proximity to major markets and market
demand for both ethanol and its co-products.
OCPA believes that the province can and should embrace a strong leadership role
on alternative fuel production and use for the benefit of Ontario’s farmers,
consumers, environment and economic well-being. Such a role will also help ensure
that Canada will make significant progress in achieving its GHG emission reduction
targets, whatever form those targets may take.
Although the ‘bioproducts’ industry is still in its infancy in Canada,
it also has enormous potential to provide a range of social, environmental and
economic benefits. Examples of these new and emerging technologies for corn
have been highlighted in recent issues of the magazine.
According to the federal ‘action plan’, climate change objectives
will be integrated into farm environmental management planning under the new
Agricultural Policy Framework scheduled for implementation as of April 1, 2003.
In this issue of the Ontario Corn Producer, we begin our series on Climate Change
with the goal of developing a broader understanding of the science as well as
the opportunities and the challenges that Ontario’s corn farmers are likely
to face as a result of new directions in Canada’s agricultural and environmental
policies.
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