Source: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announce $35.3 million, part of which is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to support producers who adopt more sustainable farming practices. This new investment makes it possible to launch the fourth enrolment period of the Rétribution agroenvironnementale (Rewarding of Agri-Environmental Practices) and up to 1,200 new farm businesses will be eligible for support under the initiative. The total direct aid to businesses as part of this flagship measure of the Plan d’agriculture durable (Sustainable Agriculture Plan) 2020-2030 (PAD) will reach $122 million. To date, the assistance offered to businesses has made it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 150,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent and the use of pesticides by more than 200,000 kg.
The announcement was made today at Ferme Édiphraniel in Lotbinière by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region André Lamontagne and Lotbinière-Frontenac MNA Isabelle Lecours.
Farmers stepping up
The 3 registration periods for the Initiative ministérielle de rétribution des pratiques agroenvironnementales (Ministerial initiative to reward agri-environmental practices) generated great enthusiasm. Since 2022, some 3,200 farm businesses have adopted good practices on almost 520,000 hectares in total. This represents 40% of Quebec’s annual crop area.
Stricter requirements
These additional investment will make it possible to accelerate the adoption of more ambitious agri-environmental practices that will directly help to achieve the targets of the PAD. For example, businesses will be asked to take their soil protection practices out of season further by using root crops and cutting back on mineral nitrogen fertilizer use.
For 2 growing seasons, each business could be eligible for a total of up to $50,000 under the initiative. The registration period will begin on March 5 and end on March 31 or when the envelope is exhausted.
Quotes
“Farmers are often the first to feel the effects of climate change, and despite this challenge, they work tirelessly to feed Canada and the world. This funding is another example of our ongoing partnership with the provinces and territories to help our hardworking farmers make their practices more sustainable, while improving the performance and resilience of their businesses.”
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“This new support will allow even more farmers throughout Quebec to adopt more sustainable practices. By choosing to support our farm businesses with flexible assistance that is tailored to their reality, we are ensuring their long-term engagement. This is a key action on your government’s part to sustain our collective food supply.”
André Lamontagne, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region
“Agriculture is an economic driver in several Quebec regions. This measure is important in helping our farmers adapt to the new climatic reality. Building resilience helps them remain competitive and productive and continue to feed the population.”
Isabelle Lecours, MNA for Lotbinière-Frontenac
“The Financière agricole du Québec is proud to support the commitment of Quebec producers to sustainable agriculture. The new initiative once again recognizes the significant environmental gains of agricultural businesses that adopt agri-environmental practices.”
Ernest Desrosiers, CEO, Financière agricole du Québec
Quick facts
- According to preliminary results from the statements submitted by nearly 3,200 participating businesses, 97% of them reported applying the practices to a total area of more than 495,000 hectares.
- Off-season soil protection practices were the most common, with 84% of participating businesses applying them on a total of nearly 300,000 hectares.
- Herbicide reduction was practised by 39% of participating businesses on a total area of more than 120,000 hectares, reducing synthetic pesticide use by more than 200,000 kg.
- Biodiversity-friendly landscaping was put in place by 70% of participating businesses on a total area of 3,650 hectares or 36.5% of the PAD target of 10,000 hectares.
- Eligible practices under the new initiative are:
- Crop diversification
- Off-season soil protection
- Reducing the use of herbicides
- Improved fertilizer management
- Biodiversity-friendly landscaping
- The initiative will allow businesses in the first registration period of the Initiative ministérielle de rétribution des pratiques agroenvironnementales (Ministerial initiative to reward agri-environmental practices) to continue their agri-environmental journey for two additional years and will support new businesses that wish to contribute to the sustainability of agriculture.
- The training course at the Institut de technologie agroalimentaire du Québec allows operators of registered businesses to enhance their agri-environmental knowledge and receive financial assistance of up to $1,500 per business.
- The Rétribution agroenvironnementale (Rewarding of Agri-Environmental Practices) is a flagship action of the PAD. Its aim is to recognize the efforts made by farm businesses to improve their practices and generate significant environmental gains.
- The total investment by the Government of Quebec is $26.3 million. The federal government will contribute $9 million to the Rétribution agroenvironnementale (Rewarding of Agri-Environmental Practices) through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
- Under the Canada-Quebec Agreement for the implementation of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are contributing a total of $366.6 million over a 5-year period, from 2023 to 2028, with 60% from the federal government ($220 million) and 40% from the Quebec government ($146.6 million). This agreement supports strategic initiatives that will help the sectors grow, innovate and prosper.
