Adopting a 4R approach would far better for farmers and the environment.   Ottawa—The federal government is taking a short-sighted approach to lowering greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture that could reduce food production, says Fertilizer Canada (FC). Introducing an absolute emissions reduction of 30 per cent, rather than a more constructive emissions intensity reduction, is a short-sighted approach that “will have considerable impact on Canadian farmers' incomes and reduce overall Canadian exports and GDP,” FC said. The approach “threatens the agricultural community, and the provincial economies that rely on them,” it said in a letter to government officials. “We cannot meet our export or growth targets with this mindset.” Instead the government should adopt FC's 4R Nutrient Stewardship plan to make more efficient use of fertilizer and “deliver outcomes that are better for the environment and for farmers.” It should start by creating a national committee to work with farmers and the fertilizer industry to increase uptake of 4R, which emphasizes careful fertilizer use. The government's concern is with nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, from nitrogen fertilizers but it currently doesn't have an accurate measurement of them, FC said. Agriculture practices need to emphasize efficiency “so farmers can get more out of all the inputs and resources they use – thereby minimizing greenhouse gas emissions while maximizing soil carbon sequestration potential of agriculture soils.” Since 2005, there has been a 34 per cent productivity increase in Canadian crop production. Fertilizer consumption rose to support the increased crop yields “and global demand for food is still increasing at a record rate.” The approach Ottawa is proposing would “create a ceiling on Canadian agricultural productivity well below 2020 levels.” Any plan to reduce NO2 emissions “must reflect North American agriculture. Canadian farmers use nitrogen efficiently compared to their competitors in Europe.” FC says that a 30 per cent absolute emission reduction for a farmer with 1,000 acres of canola and 1000 acres of wheat stands to reduce their reduced by $38,000 to $40,500 annually. The 4R plan developed by FC is “a science-based approach to fertilizer management that involves applying the Right Source of fertilizer at the Right Rate, Right Time and Right Place.” It optimizes plant nutrient uptake, increases yield and maximizes profitability, while also minimizing nitrous oxide emissions.” The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the U.N. Global Compact, the World Business Council and the International Joint Commission have endorsed the 4R framework as a measure for sustainable nutrient management. The 4R Climate-Smart Protocol results in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 35 per cent, FC said. 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.