Farmers will pay for new clean air agenda Tuesday, November 29, 2011 by SUSAN MANNAir quality regulations for industry will eventually result in higher input costs for farmers, says Don McCabe, Ontario Federation of Agriculture vice-president.McCabe made the comment in response to the federal government’s announcement Monday that it’s providing $600.8 million over five years to renew the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, the framework since 2006 for government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.Once regulations are imposed on farmers’ input suppliers, those companies will face higher costs to do business and they’ll pass them on to customers. McCabe says farmers can expect to see higher fees for electricity, chemicals, concrete, steel and “a good portion of the inputs agriculture uses.” Environment Minister Peter Kent and Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney announced the government plans to use the funding to:• align greenhouse gas regulations with the United States where appropriate;• finalize and implement a national air quality management system;• strengthen commitments to reduce trans boundary air pollution under the Canada-U.S. air quality agreement;• improve indoor air quality; and• implement the nation-wide Air Quality Health Index to help Canadians make informed decisions to protect their health.The government says in its press release the renewed funding will allow standards to be set that will define what clean air means, regulate good emissions performance by industry and introduce a comprehensive national approach to air emissions reductions.McCabe says farmers aren’t opposed to measures for environmental improvement because they are the original stewards of the land, air and water. But along with regulations the government’s framework to reduce greenhouse gas emissions must also include opportunities for companies being regulated to participate in an offset system. “That’s where agriculture can illustrate its true potential.”Farmers through their soil management are able to put carbon back into the ground annually. Foresters can do this too “but they do it in a much longer timeframe,” he explains. “It’s only farmers and foresters who are actually going to solve this problem. Regulation won’t do it.” BF Behind the Lines - December 2011 Imported seeds to get advanced clearance
How will Carney work with Farmers? Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Prime Minister Carney has a mandate to lead the country, but the country is quite divided, and much of the agriculture industry feels alienated. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre have both pledged cooperation on key issues like U.S. tariffs. As the new... Read this article online
Sheep farmers win Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Sheep farmers and wool producers from Wallenstein, Ont. are Ontario’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2025. “It’s great to be recognized by your peers in the industry with an award like that,” Ryan Schill told Farms.com. “When we started the sheep farm, there were people questioning us... Read this article online
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Support IPM With a Bench Sponsorship Tuesday, April 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) Local Committee has launched the Bench Sponsorship Project for the upcoming 2025 event in West Niagara. This initiative invites individuals and businesses to sponsor commemorative benches for $500 each, helping enhance the visitor... Read this article online
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