No recognition of what the sector has already done to store carbon.   Ottawa – While agriculture gained some mention in the announcement of the federal Greenhouse Gas offset credit program, all the work done by farmers before January 2017 will count for nothing without changes to it, says Frank Annau, Director of Environment and Science Policy for the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA). Environment Canada's promised consultations with agriculture and other groups on its Enhanced Soil Carbon (ESC) project for the first round of credits “offers an opportunity to ensure that agriculture's full potential is realized,” he said. “One such approach is to develop protocols to recognize efforts that took place prior to January 2017.” What's needed “is a protocol that recognizes the long-term storage of carbon in large carbon sinks that have historically been managed by farmers,” he said. “It helps to separate sequestration, which can seasonally fluctuate, from storage, which has more permanence. We believe there is room under the ESC project for these distinct protocols to be developed.” The ESC project proposes to give farmers credits for new storage projects that they can sell. Annau said there should be credits for “farmers' long-term stewardship efforts, which would provide an income stream for agricultural conservation initiatives. CFA will continue to advocate for recognition of these historical efforts in our consultation paper on the regulations.” Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says the offset plan will reduce carbon emissions, create jobs and spur innovation and private-sector investment through a domestic carbon trading market for carbon storage credits and lead to further emissions reductions. The trading market will stimulate demand for projects across Canada that reduce greenhouse gases and generate offset credits, he said. The ability to sell federal offset credits creates opportunities for farmers, foresters and other to earn revenues from greenhouse-gas reductions and removals. Comments on the regulations for the proposed credit system are due by May 5. Wilkinson said Canadian farms have an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through implementation of conservation activities or adopting new management practices or technologies. He made no comment on what all they have already done. He placed a lot of emphasis on regenerative agriculture without offering any specifics on what the government considered it to be. Just what farming practices will be accepted for credits will be determined as the protocol is developed. “A technical expert team will be established to provide advice on the latest science related to regenerative farming practices and members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on draft protocols as a part of the protocol development process.” He said the government is also considering a protocol for Livestock Feed Management as well as protocols and pilot projects for Avoided Conversion of Grasslands, Reduced Nitrogen Oxide Emissions from Agriculture Fertilizer and Livestock Manure Management. Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.