Letter Re. the Ontario Climate Change Action Plan

Dear Ministers Leal and Murray,
The National Farmers Union – Ontario (NFU-O) would like to congratulate you for your leadership in developing a Climate Action Plan for Ontario. By including specific, measurable actions, we have a tangible way for Ontario to meet its new greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, while transforming the affected sectors with respect, empathy, and progressive opportunities.
The NFU-O has long been a leader in sustainable agriculture, and we are eager to work with you to operationalize this new action plan. We believe that farmers and foresters can be natural leaders by focusing on soil health and ecological diversity to achieve carbon sequestration. The farm families of this province will help society define what is required for agricultural land to further enhance our carbon-offset capabilities. The NFU-O is your experienced partner with relevant skills and practical knowledge, and we must ensure that every farm operation, regardless of size, will have the economic and social support needed to actively participate.
Many of the proposed initiatives are interesting, such as the use of agricultural waste for methane production, but the details and methods of implementation are crucial for success. From an NFU-O farmer perspective, a simple win is as easy as permitting farmers to include fruit and nut trees in the tree-planting initiative. This would benefit our ecosystem and encourage local food diversity while serving to improve farm incomes.
Many issues addressed in other action areas will also affect rural Ontario; rural citizens must travel longer distances to receive the services our urban neighbours take for granted. To achieve this mobility in a more climate-friendly, but economically feasible way, will demand open minds and supportive leaders.
The success of our local food movement in Ontario means many smaller farmers are bringing products into cities on a regular basis. The plan must be considerate of this reality yet reward all efforts, no matter the size of farm operation. Farmers are professionals who, aside from food production, can provide services for the public good.
The NFU-O supports making agriculture more climate friendly, more resilient to climate uncertainty, and we will continue working with you, just as the NFU is doing in Manitoba. With adequate resources, we can assist with research, policies, and programs that will be effective to reduce emissions while supporting the important social and economic contributions of agriculture in Ontario.
Sincerely,
Emery Huszka
President, National Farmers Union – Ontario
Region 3 Coordinator, National Farmers Union