Calgary, AB — (July 18, 2022): With the FPT Agriculture Minister’s set to meet this week in Saskatchewan, the Western Canadian Wheat Growers urge the discussion to focus on the reality facing Canadian grain farmers. Over the past several years, the federal government has introduced policies that only harm Canadians’ food security.
“Canadians are facing the highest inflation rate in decades, food prices are rising dramatically and those that can afford it least will be hurt the hardest,” stated Daryl Fransoo, Chair and SK Director.
Over the past several years, farmers have been seriously harmed by the carbon tax, transportation stoppages, non-science-based decision making and now with the proposed 30% reduction in fertilizer emissions. Much of these policies have been based on the European “Farm to Fork” which is resulting in protests in the Netherlands, Italy, Germany and beyond. To continue down this path will result in national and global food shortages.
Farmers are price takers and cannot pass the burden of the carbon tax on to the consumer. With the proposed 30% reduction in fertilizer emissions, Canadian farmers will produce less grain resulting in further price increases and shortages to our export markets. Canadian food security is paramount and we should not be going down this path.
“The Wheat Growers urge the FPT Agriculture Ministers to push back on policies that will actually harm Canadian agriculture output. Canadian families as well as our export markets need to be assured of food security,” closed Fransoo.
About the Wheat Growers
The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association is a voluntary farmer-run advocacy organization dedicated to developing public policy solutions that strengthen the profitability and sustainability of farming, and the agricultural industry as a whole. For more information, please visit: wheatgrowers.ca. Click here to see who is helping to advocate for grain farmers.