The Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee released a report on the importance of soil health.
“Soils that matter: Why soils are vital to Canada’s economic, environmental, human and social health” compiles information from more than 150 witnesses, 60 written reports, and supporting documentation from soil science researchers, agronomists, farmers, ranchers, foresters, environmental groups, agribusinesses, trade associations, and federal, state and territorial governments.
Soil is the foundation of Canada’s agricultural system and a key driver of the economy, with agricultural and food exports totaling almost $93 billion in 2022. However, the committee heard there is a lack of awareness of the value of soil, and education is crucial to changing perceptions of Canadian agriculture.
Among the commission’s 25 recommendations is a call for the federal government to take the lead in protecting soil as a “national strategic asset” key to food security.
The report also said there is a lack of progress in measuring soil health parameters and called on the Canadian government to work with provinces and territories to help develop consensus on how to measure, report and verify soil health.
It also specifies that farmers and ranchers should have access to “viable and valuable carbon markets” and be eligible for tax credits for soil conservation practices, and that the government should fund peer-to-peer knowledge-sharing groups, which currently only exist in Ontario.
“To protect and conserve agricultural soils across Canada, the committee heard that all levels of government – federal, provincial, territorial and municipal – must work together to design agriculture to integrate it within communities, not outside of them. Testimony also said that creating soil-based incentives – tax credits for farmers, enhanced crop insurance and viable carbon markets – and continued funding for soil research initiatives are essential to help producers thrive,” the report states.
Witnesses also suggested that the Canadian government fund peer-to-peer soil networks, extension services and soil science programs, and encourage the development of programs in elementary and high schools to increase awareness and understanding of the economic, environmental and social contributions that agriculture makes to this country.
Stay tuned to RealAgriculture for more information on the Senate soil health report.
