(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Carbon Tax

Carbon tax debate continues

Apr 1, 2019 | 10:30 AM

Farmers are concerned about the rising costs associated with the federal carbon tax which took effect today.

The issue will be addressed during a carbon summit being held tomorrow in conjunction with the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) policy conference in Saskatoon.

APAS President Todd Lewis said farmers face many rising costs from the tax including fertilizer, natural gas for grain drying and getting their grain to export position.

“We still have lots of issues on the exemptions that are necessary that were missing. Things like propane, natural gas, electrical rates. All of these things are going to go up and there are so many other things that are going to be involved as far as costs to producers,” Lewis said.

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“Our margins are shrinking and this carbon tax is coming straight off our bottom line,” Lewis said. “I think we’re trying to get more transparency on what is happening and make sure the federal government understands what the impact is going to be in Western Canada.”

Lewis said APAS will continue to lobby the federal government to provide support to farmers for using practices which reduce greenhouse gases.

The conference will include discussion on the science of sequestration, the positive effect of shelterbelts on sequestration and crop yields, strategic fertilizer application in order to reduce inputs and emissions as well as role of renewables and biofuels in agriculture.

The carbon conference is open to the public. Contact the APAS office to register.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF