Hon. Dustin Duncan
Minister of Environment
Room 348, Legislative Building
2405 Legislative Drive
Regina, SK S4S 0B3
By email: [email protected]
December 18, 2018
Re: Inclusion of 4R Nutrient Stewardship in provincial climate change strategy
Dear Minister,
Fertilizer Canada would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for including 4R Nutrient Stewardship as an indicator of sustainability in their Prairie Resilience: A Made-inSaskatchewan Climate Change Strategy. Capturing 25 per cent of provincial crop acres under 4R Designation by 2025 represents a significant step towards creating a sustainable future for Saskatchewan and all of Canada. Our association stands ready to work with your government and other stakeholders to achieve this ambitious target.
As a science-based framework of best management practices, 4R Nutrient Stewardship (Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®) enables growers in any region to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and impacts to soil and water resources while increasing crop yields and profitability. For example, recent research demonstrates that growers in Saskatchewan can reduce phosphorous losses to water by up to 75 per cent by using in-soil placement of fertilizer as opposed to traditional practices.
The Government of Saskatchewan’s goal to designate 25 per cent of provincial crop acres under 4R Nutrient Stewardship aligns with Fertilizer Canada’s goal to verify sustainably managed farm acres through 4R Designation. Fertilizer Canada works closely with governments and stakeholders across Canada to advance 4R Nutrient Stewardship through our 4R Designation program. 4R Designation allows crop advisors to align their business practices with the principles of the 4Rs to provide expert advise on sustainable nutrient management to their grower customers.
Fertilizer Canada is pleased to have been working with the Government of Saskatchewan on this through a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) since 2016. Extended this year, the MOC supports the continued implementation of 4R Nutrient Stewardship and 4R Designation in the province, through extension, training and education.
It is Fertilizer Canada’s hope that Saskatchewan will also adopt our 4R Climate Smart Strategy, which incorporates the Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Protocol into a 4R Nutrient Stewardship plan to help growers reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions by up to 35 per cent. If adopted in Western Canada, research has shown that reductions of two to three,megatonnes annually can be achieved.
Our association looks forward to renewed efforts to make 4R Nutrient Stewardship accessible for Saskatchewan growers, creating a path towards sustainability for the benefit of all Canadians.
Sincerely,
Garth Whyte
CC: Hon. Scott Moe, Premier; Hon. David Marit, Minister of Agriculture
