Ontario
Farmers and the Environment
Leading the Way
by Brenda Cassidy, AGCare Executive Director
Ontario farmers are seen as world leaders in environmental management. In
1992, the Ontario Farm Environmental Coalition (OFEC), led by four Ontario farm groups, released Our Farm Environmental
Agenda. It was a guiding document that outlined key concerns with farm environmental issues, and placed farmers
in control of developing programs and practices to improve environmental conditions on Ontario farms.
At the time, no doubt, there were some nay-sayers convinced that such a program was doomed to fail. But a review
of the initiatives taken and the accomplishments achieved by Ontario’s farmers leaves no doubt that we’ve made
great progress. Here’s just a sample.
Environmental Farm Plan (EFP)
Ontario’s
flagship environmental program, EFP has been instrumental in guiding farmers through
a process to determine potential environmental risks on their farms and to develop
practical action plans to reduce those risks. Each action plan is unique, addressing
concerns specific to an individual farm.
To date, more than 16,000 farmers have participated in the EFP process. Under a program funded through the federal
CanAdapt program, farmers who complete their action plans, submit them to a peer review panel and implement environmental
improvements are eligible for grants of up to $1,500. Research shows that farmers have invested heavily too, putting
in $3 of their own for every $1 of incentive money.
EFP has proven to be an effective vehicle for supporting and encouraging environmental improvement.
Pesticide Use
Agricultural pesticide use in Ontario has declined by almost 41 per cent in the last 15 years, leaving farmers
well on target to meet the goal of a 50 per cent reduction by the year 2002.
The Pesticide Use Survey, conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), measures
pesticide use in field crops, fruit and vegetables and other selected agricultural crops. Survey results for 1998
confirmed that farmers’ pesticide use, as measured by active ingredient, continues to decline. The full report
is available at http://www.gov.on.ca/ OMAFRA/english/stats/crops/Pesticide%20Survey.pdf.
Reducing agricultural pesticide use while maintaining competitive crop production, sustainable farms and effective
pest control at reasonable costs is the key target of Food Systems 2002, an OMAFRA-launched program initiated in
1987.
Farmers have reduced pesticide use through a variety of methods, including mandatory training and certification
programs for agricultural pesticide users, a farmer-led initiative. This year, a new category of training, the
Agricultural Assistant program, will enhance pesticide training options and ensure that all farm workers who deal
with pesticides are adequately trained.
Farmers have also adopted practices such as Integrated Pest Management and newer, safer, more target-specific pesticide
products.
Further reductions, and enhanced environmental protection, are expected to occur as more Ontario farmers choose
to grow crops enhanced through biotechnology.
Biotechnology
Crops enhanced through biotechnology play an important role in today’s agricultural production. In Ontario, 35
per cent of corn, 20 per cent of soybeans and 60 per cent of canola crops in 1999 were produced from genetically
modified (GM) crop varieties.
The benefits offered by GM crops have positive implications for the environment, reducing fossil fuel use, and
either reducing pesticide use or allowing safer, less toxic pesticide products to be used. Higher yields provide
environmental benefits as well. By using our farmland efficiently, we can meet the food needs of a growing population
without expanding agricultural land requirements. This means that existing parkland, wildlife habitat and other
undeveloped areas need not be turned to food production, another significant environmental and cultural advantage.
Using
the new technology responsibly is essential if we are to derive maximum benefits
while minimizing risks. In Bt corn production, for example, scientists and regulators
recommend the planting of a refuge of 20 per cent non-Bt-corn per individual farm
to ensure a population of susceptible insects, thus delaying the possible onset
of resistance.
Implementation of these science-based recommendations, however, resides with the individual producer.
A 1999 survey conducted by Dr. Douglas Powell, University of Guelph, indicates that Ontario corn growers have overwhelmingly
adopted the recommended management strategy. Close to 90 per cent of all growers surveyed had planted at least
one-fifth of their acreage to non-Bt corn — that figure rises to 95 per cent for growers with more than 100 acres
of corn, a possible reflection of the practical limitations of planting refuge areas on smaller acreages. (Full
survey results are available at http://www.oac.uoguelph.ca/ riskcomm/plant-ag/bt-survey/bt-survey.htm.)
More Environmental Initiatives
Ontario farmers, through OFEC, are also working on Nutrient Management Planning, Water Use and Water Quality and
Environmental Management Systems, a project piloted last year, which is designed to extend the Environmental Farm
Plan concept beyond “a snapshot in time” and into an ongoing management regime.
By embracing a proactive approach to environmental issues, farmers in Ontario ensure that our resources are protected
and our agriculture is sustainable, earning their reputation as environmental leaders.
Ontario Crop Producers and the Environment, a new brochure highlighting the environmental initiatives taken by
Ontario farmers, is now available through the AGCare office. The brochure was produced with funding assistance
provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the CanAdapt program. Call 519-837-1326 for more information
or to order copies.
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