Grainswest Tech 2021

Tech 2021 Grains West 34 BY MELANIE EPP LEAD PHOTO BY PIXABAY The complex equation of carbon economics haunts agriculture A t first glance, the farmer’s role in helping Canada reach its ambitious goal of net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 appears simple: lower emissions and adopt technology and alternativemanagement practices that boost soil carbon sequestration. Many believe addressing the carbon equation of fers economic advantages, too. Farmers who cut back on inputs subject to the carbon tax save money, and those who adopt so-called regenerative practicesmay participate in the growing carbon economy by collecting and selling carbon credits. While this sounds straightforward, it is anything but. HUGE IMPLICATIONS In late March, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled the federal Liberal government’s carbon pricing regime constitutional. The ruling allows the government to increase the carbon tax from its $40/tonne to $170/tonne by 2030, a 325 per cent increase. This may have huge implications for farmers who, without exemptions, offsets and rebates, worry thin profit margins will further shrink. Service providers can pass their carbon tax burden on to customers, but as price takers, farmers cannot. Agriculture organizations call for balance. On June 23, Bill C-206, An Act to amend the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act , passed third reading in Parliament and proceeded to the Senate THE BIG FEATURE PART ONE OF A THREE-PART SERIES ON CARBON ISSUES IN FARMING