The President of the Canola Council of Canada says agriculture can be a ‘solutions provider’ for the environmental challenges facing our society.
Jim Everson says canola takes carbon from the air and makes food at the same time. He wonders why it has not been a national priority to utilize Canadian agriculture feedstocks in the national diesel fuel supply.
“It reduces GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions very effectively,” Everson said. “It’s a proven technology for doing that. It is also a new pathway and diversification opportunity for canola growers.”
Approximately 90 percent of Canadian canola is exported. The industry would like to see that number reduced following trade challenges with China, our largest canola seed buyer.
Everson says the biodiesel mandate could be gradually increased and the additional canola oil demand may lead to new crushing facilities.
“Premier Moe set a long-term goal of trying to process 75 percent of the canola produced in Saskatchewan,” said Everson. “One practical way of getting there is making sure we use more canola in the biofuels market. It would lead to incentive for more investment in the processing community in Saskatchewan.”
Another Canola Council of Canada priority is improved funding for research agencies, such as the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). Everson cites monitoring in water and watersheds for detection of farm products.
“If we don’t have that kind of data and it’s not available to the PMRA, then their science-based decisions are not as robust as they could be if they have that kind of information,” Everson said.
The research community is also looking for a regulatory environment that encourages innovation for both seed and crop protection products. Everson says there is uncertainty about how new gene editing technology will be regulated by the Canadian government.
“If we can clarify that uncertainty, it will open the door and provide clarity for seed researchers so they can get on and do some really excellent work,” Everson said.
He adds Canada is in danger of falling behind the United States, Australia and Japan when it comes to new technology regulations.
