Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit remains concerned about the environmental aspects of some of the agricultural policy coming out of Ottawa.
The federal-provincial-territorial ministers met by conference call last week ahead of the April 1 implementation of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Marit said the province has yet to sign the agreement but he will be taking it to cabinet for approval in early February. Under the Sustainable CAP, the AgriStability compensation rate will rise from 70 percent to 80 percent.
He said he was confident all provinces would sign on.
Officials are working on the bilateral agreements that each province signs with Ottawa for programs particular to their regions.
Environmental farm plans are expected to play a greater role in business risk management programs in the future, especially AgriInvest. When ministers met in Saskatoon in July, they agreed to a review of how climate risk and readiness could be incorporated in business risk management programs.
AgriInvest participants with allowable net sales of at least $1 million will need an EFP, or agri-environmental risk assessment, if they want to receive the government contribution. That takes effect in 2025 and Marit said he hopes the provinces have some control of how the assessments are done.
He also raised the matter of the federal emissions reduction target and why Ottawa won’t recognize intensity or increased production on the same amount of fertilizer.
But Marit said his major issue is the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s decision regarding lambda-cyhalothrin. He said other ministers also had concerns.
“This is no different than what they did with neonics,” the minister said, referring to neonicotinoids.
In April 2021 the PMRA banned the use of the chemical, found in Matador and Silencer, for any crop that becomes livestock feed. The requirement takes effect at the end of April and the companies that sell the two products have already pulled supply.
“We’re very concerned about this one (and) why the decision was made when it was an issue with feed in dairy cattle but it has nothing to do with growing food for human consumption or beef cattle,” Marit said. “I think it’s important for us to do the due diligence.”
Finally, with regard to foot-and-mouth disease, Marit said Saskatoon’s VIDO should have a supply of the vaccine so the industry is ready if there is an outbreak.
He pointed out that Ottawa has spent about $27 million on African swine fever preparedness so foot-and-mouth disease preparedness should also be top of mind.
Meanwhile, federal minister Marie-Claude Bibeau issued a joint statement with Quebec minister Andre Lamontagne complimenting the industry on “the substantial progress they have made in developing Canada’s first-ever Grocery Code of Conduct.”
The code is being developed to ensure greater predictability, transparency and fair dealing in the food supply chain. Consultation is underway and ministers urged swift implementation.
Contact [email protected]
