(Twitter/@APASGenMgr)

By Alice McFarlane

Canadian Federation of Agriculture

Carbon tax a key issue at national farm meeting

Mar 4, 2019 | 4:18 PM

Carbon tax, trade and farmers right to repair their own equipment were hot-topics discussed at the recent Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting in Ottawa.

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) president, Todd Lewis, said some companies are opposed to farmers repairing their own highly computerized technical equipment.

“When you buy a tractor or a combine, you know, are you able to access that software? Who does that actual software belong to, the actual owner of the tractor or the company, issues like that,” Lewis said. “It’s an emerging issue.”

Lewis said many Saskatchewan farm groups are opposed to higher royalties on wheat breeding. He said there was an interesting discussion.

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“You get a different perspective a little bit when you’re at the national level about some of the concerns in eastern Canada and the Maritimes as well as far as wheat breeding and cereal breeding. So you know it’s important to include that as we go forward with a new model because it needs to be a national program.” Lewis said.

There was also a panel discussion on carbon pricing. APAS is opposed to the federal carbon tax.

“It was quite enlightening and certainly recognized how it was a lack of communication right now between the federal ministry and agriculture across the country. We’re certainly going to work on that and hopefully we’ll make some inroads there.” Lewis said.

Lewis added federal officials need to be better informed on efforts by prairie farmers to fight climate change through improved farming practices.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF