The whole issue of the environment and carbon, of course, is a significant concern for our sector. As was mentioned earlier this morning, in essence, producers are price-takers and, as such, it is very difficult for us to recoup or to pass on any increased costs, such as taxes, as a result of production. Of course, that raises the larger issue of how we can participate in ongoing discussions and the development of new carbon strategies.
I would think, first of all, that the government should have a very strong interest in ensuring that the agricultural industry can manage and also adopt technologies and should support changing practices that could help improve our outcomes. I'm thinking here of a recent announcement in Alberta, where the province has said that it is starting a new program, with tens of millions of dollars were being provided to the provincial farm community to increase on-farm fuel efficiency and energy efficiencies. That's important.
I do think that we need to take a very good look at this and ensure that specific exemptions are made. Under the new provincial carbon tax policy, I know that farm fuels—diesel and gasoline—are exempt. I think another part of the deal, too, is to look not just at the emissions side of the question, but also at sequestration. It was mentioned earlier this morning that carbon was being kept in the soil as a result of agricultural activity—