Producers need to be confident that the government will adequately support them through major fluctuations in fertilizer costs. Otherwise, producers will change their seeding plans and cut their fertilizer applications, which will reduce yields and hurt both domestic production and Canadian exports.
In the short to medium term, innovation and technology will not be enough to reduce reliance on foreign fertilizer. The tariff creates an additional production cost for Eastern farmers, compared to their counterparts in other provinces or the United States.
We are calling for clear and consistent policies for the 2023 season so that we do not find ourselves in the same perilous situation we were in this past March when the sanctions came into effect.
The federal government must lift the 35% tariff on Russian fertilizer. We understand and respect the sanctions imposed on Russia. That said, if necessary, we should consider lifting the sanctions on fertilizer from Russia to ensure our food security and our ability to do our part to feed the world.
The government should provide a stable and predictable business environment for Eastern farmers.
Thank you again for your invitation. We will be pleased to answer your questions.