News

By Fertilizer Canada
March 31, 2022

Renewed Agriculture Partnership Offers PEI Growers Sustainable Solutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charlottetown, PEI, March 31, 2022 – By renewing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program Fertilizer Canada, Prince Edward Island Ministry of Agriculture and Land, Prince Edward Island Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Climate Action, Prince Edward Island Federation of Agriculture (PEIFA), and the PEI Potato Board, showed their commitment to leadership in sustainable agriculture. The MOU helps PEI’s agriculture community protect soil health and water quality and integrate climate smart agriculture and nutrient management.

4R Nutrient Stewardship is an internationally recognized best management practice (BMP) system with four key pillars for fertilizer application: Right Source @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®. This science-based approach helps growers understand how efficient fertilizer application improves profitability while reducing nutrient losses to the environment.

The MOU adapts the program to PEI agricultural production systems and unique regional climatic, soil, and operational conditions to help growers reduce environmental impacts while maximizing crop yields and economic benefits.

In the latest MOU agreement, the groups establish the goals to develop both a 4R Designation Program and the Fertilizer Use Survey on the Island to better track 4R adoption.

PEI was the first province to adopt the 4R Program back in 2013 and continues to be a leader across Canada.

More information on 4R Nutrient Stewardship and sustainable farming in PEI can be found at fertilizercanada.ca/nutrient-stewardship/4rs-across-canada/prince-edward-island.

Quotes:

“We continue to see strong leadership to sustainable agriculture practices in PEI with the extension of the MOU as another proof point,” said Karen Proud, CEO and President Fertilizer Canada. “We are pleased to see this partnership continue and look forward to working together towards our goal to establish the Fertilizer Use Survey and 4R Designation Program in PEI.”  

“Innovation, sustainability, and climate action are key pillars within our industry, and are a main focus for our agriculture industry on PEI as we look to the future,” said Bloyce Thompson, Minister of Agriculture and Land for Prince Edward Island. “We are excited to sign this MOU which emphasizes the importance of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship, the Fertilizer Use Survey and responsible soil management to our industry as we aim to be leaders on the climate front and encourage continued growth.”

“As a province, we have ambitious climate goals,” said Steven Myers, Minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Action. “Agriculture accounts for 25 per cent of our Island’s GHG emissions and in order to reach our goals, we need to significantly reduce our emissions moving forward. I am happy to work alongside the industry and Fertilizer Canada to make sustainable agriculture practices top of mind on PEI.”

“The Prince Edward Island Potato Board has been proud to be a partner since the beginning of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship initiative in the province. Since its establishment, we’ve seen increasing adoption levels of 4R best management practices in the province,” said John Visser, Chair of the Prince Edward Island Potato Board. “Thankfully, many of these best management practices are both environmentally sustainable while also making economic sense for our growers.  We look forward to working with the rest of our 4R partners to continue promoting 4R Nutrient Stewardship in PEI and continuing to increase the number of 4R Designated acres on the Island.”

“The PEI Federation of Agriculture is pleased to once again partner with the Government of Prince Edward Island, Fertilizer Canada, and the PEI Potato Board to promote the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Principles of Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place,” said Ron Maynard, PEI Federation of Agriculture President. “Effective nutrient management has economic and environmental benefits to Prince Edward Island agriculture, and we look forward to continuing to work with all parties to promote 4R Nutrient Stewardship and achieve those benefits.”

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Fertilizer Canada represents manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors of nitrogen, phosphate, potash and sulphur fertilizers. The fertilizer industry plays an essential role in Canada’s economy, contributing $23 billion annually and over 76,000 jobs. As the unified voice of the Canadian fertilizer industry, Fertilizer Canada works to promote the safe, responsible, and sustainable distribution and use of fertilizer. Please visit fertilizercanada.ca.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Kayla FitzPatrick

Director of Communications

[email protected]

(613) 979-8723

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Canada must choose 4R Nutrient Stewardship to meet Canada’s emission reduction targets