EXCLUSIVE: Ottawa considered following Europe’s riot-causing fertilizer rules

This is the final part of the Fertilizer Files, a three-part series on what internal government documents reveal about the Trudeau Liberals’ push to reduce fertilizer emissions. Read part 1 here and part 2 here.

In modeling its plan to reduce agricultural emissions, Ottawa considered following in the footsteps of the European Union, which has called on member states to introduce measures to reduce fertilizer use overall. The controversial policy has sparked widespread protests, tractor convoys and clashes with authorities in countries like the Netherlands.

Documents obtained by True North as part of its ongoing investigation into the fertilizer emissions reduction program show that the government has closely aligned its approach to European strategy.

About a year after the voluntary federal target was first announced, industry group Fertilizer Canada expressed concern that Ottawa would follow in the footsteps of the EU’s Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy, which mandates a 20 percent reduction in fertilizer use alongside 27 other climate-focused measures that include a 10 percent reduction in arable land.

In an email to the Department of Agriculture dated June 21, 2021, the organization’s representative further requested that “the approach taken in Europe is not duplicated in Canada.”

“I think the additional communications that will be released with the report strongly emphasize that we want to work with all governments to ensure that the approach taken in Europe is not duplicated in Canada,” said Daniel Kelter, Senior Manager of Government relations

Fertilizer Canada also led closed door meetings with the government, at which the possibility of pursuing the EU approach was considered.

“From the beginning, other officials in the department have commented on the European Union as a potential model on this issue in meetings with Fertilizer Canada.”

A copy of a speech given by Agriculture Minister Marie Claude-Bibeau during a webinar on sustainable agriculture with European colleagues that same year went further, describing Canada’s actions as “very closely aligned with the fertilizer reduction target of the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.” .”

According to internal reports, Fertilizer Canada’s concerns were well founded. A June 2021 briefing described the European Union policy framework as “an opportunity (for Canada) to align with the EU for a shared commitment to sustainable agriculture”.

Stimulated by the overarching F2F approach, the Dutch government unveiled its ambitious plan to cut nitrogen emissions by a whopping 50% through a €7.5 billion farm buyout programme. The move immediately sparked nationwide protests from farmers and even the resignation of the then Dutch Minister of Agriculture.

In the same email, Kelter went on to explain how the fertilizer industry was “not consulted” to help meet the 30 percent emissions target, “although we have been actively working in this area for the last decade and asked (Agriculture Canada) to co.” had surgery on that exact subject a number of times.”

Throughout the consultation process, Fertilizer Canada has urged the government to adopt an “emissions intensity” reduction target rather than a reduction in “absolute emissions” – Ottawa’s preferred measure. Farmers’ organizations have argued that reducing greenhouse gas emissions relative to the production of a bushel is a much less risky goal than an absolute reduction.

To achieve these goals, the group has championed its 4R Nutrient Stewardship program, which urges farmers to apply fertilizers at the “right source, in the right amount, at the right time and in the right place” — an effort that supported by the federal government.

The Fertilizer Canada representative also raised concerns about how Assistant Secretary of Agriculture Chris Forbes allegedly claimed during a “Big Forum Webinar Series” hosted by Canada’s Agri-Food Policy Institute that it was imperative to “reduce fertilizer use” while also reducing the use of fertilizers To remain competitive – despite vehement denials elsewhere by the department that a fertilizer reduction in wholesale is not planned.

“(The deputy minister said) it is imperative to find a way to do both – reduce the use of fertilizers without hurting the competitiveness of the sector,” quoted Kelter.

Shortly after the swap, Fertilizer Canada went public with a shocking report showing that should the Canadian government follow in the EU’s footsteps by demanding a reduction in fertilizer use, it would result in a projected billions in annual lost production for farmers could.

“The estimated lost production has a significant impact on Canada’s ability to fill domestic processing capacity (e.g. canola crushing plants) as well as export capacity. Assuming domestic capacity is filled first, estimates are that most Canadian canola exports will be gone by 2030,” explains the Implications of a Total Emissions Reduction Target on Fertilizer report.

As True North reported in the first part of this series, the government has been considering tighter regulatory measures as future “policy options.”

After getting wind of the report’s release in fall 2021, senior Agriculture Canada officials were already mobilizing their troops to conduct a streamlined media operation and “develop responsive media lines as soon as we become aware of the content,” an email dated September 23, 2021 by Agriculture Canada Director General Donald Boucher shows.

Rather than addressing the concerns expressed by Fertilizer Canada and others, the controlled media line continued for months when a November 4, 2021 email from senior communications consultant Kilee Mackay stated, “We need to make sure there are 2-3 hard Qs pending in the environment.” the questions and answers (ie environmental targets and possible impacts on the sector, methane, fertilizer issues etc.) The answer should focus on the language (of the Minister).”

True North contacted Agriculture Canada to inquire about the current status of the fertilizer reduction program, but received no response.