At last week’s Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Agriculture Ministers Meeting, the governments signed a five-year investment to strengthen and grow Canada’s agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products industries.

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will take effect on April 1, 2023, replacing the current Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) and will provide $500 million, a 25 per cent increase in new funding for cost-shared activities, over the $2 billion currently provided under CAP.

The plan also calls for improved data sharing and results reporting; $250 billion in sector revenues and $95 billion in sector export revenues by 2028; an increase in funding for Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth recipients; and a three to five metric tonnes reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

SARM President Ray Orb said that while he is pleased to see the increase in funding, focusing on further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will be challenging for farmers.

“Saskatchewan farmers are already helping the environment by sequestering carbon and have been conservative in their fertilizer use,” he said. “This approach has been effective in managing environmental impacts as farmers work with agronomists to ensure soil testing, nutrient management, and chemical applications.”

“These further measures make it challenging for our farmers to remain globally competitive, and SARM would have liked to see discussions with the federal government,” Orb continued. “This target has been set by Prime Minister Trudeau and Minister Bibeau, and SARM would have liked to see real discussions before these reductions were put in place.”

He said it’s important to consult with those who are most knowledgeable but also most affected.