Dear André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food,

The overuse of nitrogen fertilizers poses a threat to our global climate, increasing greenhouse gas emissions to hazardous levels. The increase in nitrous oxide emissions between 2005 and 2019 alone was 54% in Canada, which is directly and indirectly associated with the application of nitrogen synthetic fertilizers across the country (Government of Canada, 2022). Quebec itself emits a higher intensity of nitrous oxide emissions, above 2.0 kilograms of nitrous oxide per hectare, through fertilizer than most other provinces in the country (Government of Canada, 2022). Therefore, if the federal government wants to reach its reduction target of 30% of 2020 emissions by 2030, then Quebec must begin further investments in more sustainable agricultural practices.

We, the undersigned students of John Abbott College, call upon you to help us reduce these nitrous oxide emissions by adopting  policies that disincentivize fertilizer overuse and promote the use of 4R Nutrient Management, which entails fertilizer application practices that use the right source, right rate, right time, and right placement principles (Project Drawdown, 2023). 

We call on the Government of Quebec to help provide funds for trained consulting services to help farmers complete 4R Nutrient Stewardship Management Plans and provide 4R consistent technical advice (Fertilizer Canada, 2022). By promoting this incentive, which would help reduce the country’s Fertilizer emissions, the province’s need to import Nitrogen Fertilizers will decrease and in turn help farmers save more funds to invest into greener farming methods. 

 

Sincerely, 

The students of John Abbott College.

 

 

References:

Canada, A. and A.-F. (2022a, October 4). Government of Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/transparency/public-opinion-research-consultations/share-ideas-fertilizer-emissions-reduction-target/discussion 

Canada, A. and A.-F. (2023, July 20). Government of Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/transparency/public-opinion-research-consultations/share-ideas-fertilizer-emissions-reduction-target/what-we-heard-report-fertilizer-emissions-reduction 

Grecequet, R. F. M. (2023, July 26). Nutrient management @projectdrawdown #climatesolutions. Project Drawdown. https://drawdown.org/solutions/nutrient-management 

baytek., D. by. (2022, June 29). Québec. Fertilizer Canada. https://fertilizercanada.ca/our-focus/stewardship/4rs-across-canada/quebec/ 

baytek., D. by. (2023, February 11). Global Sustainability. 4R Solution. https://4rsolution.org/