OTTAWA – More than 50 Ontario farmers will be participating in two pilot projects in carbon offset testing, as Ontario prepares for a new cap-and-trade system.
In a cap and trade system, involving all industries, business are given pollution limits. Those that fall under the carbon targets will earn money but it won’t come from the government. Buinesses that are above their targets would have to purchase carbon credits from environmentally friendly farmers.
Farmers in the pilot projects will be analyzing the use of nitrogen fertilizers, and exploring low-till and no-till farming techniques, minimizing the emissions from nitrogen fertilizers.
Ontario and Quebec reached a cap-and-trade agreement to be put into effect by 2010.
OFA vice-president Bette-Jean Crewes is not worried about the negative effects of farming. She said the program appears to be designed to punish big industries, not farmers.