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2020- 2022 Policy Process | Green Party of Canada

Where GPC membership collaborates to develop our policies

Phase 1 of 1
Review and Comment 2020-03-26 - 2022-03-27
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G21-P001 Support Carbon Sequestration on Farms

Avatar: Official proposal Official proposal
02/06/2021 16:23  

Submitter Name

Ralph Martin

Ratification Vote Results: Adopted


Proposal

GPC supports incentive payments for measurable outcomes of soil organic matter (SOM) on fields with increasing or good SOM levels. GPC supports a mandatory measurement of SOM when farmland is sold, and if SOM is then poor, the land will be taxed. Both payments and taxes will be proportional to SOM levels according to a consistent scientific protocol. 

Objective

The objective is to arrest the trend of declining soil organic matter (SOM) on agricultural land in Canada and to start increasing SOM on agricultural land to improve soil health, while also removing carbon dioxide from air.

Benefit

Removing carbon dioxide from air advances the shift toward net zero emissions. Increasing SOM improves resilience of food production and is correlated with other indicators of soil health such as decreasing soil erosion and compaction and increasing soil microbial activity, aggregate stability, nutrient retention and water holding capacity.

Supporting Comments from Submitter

The 2016 Canadian Census shows that the total agricultural area in Canada was 158.7 million acres and the total area dedicated to cropland was 93.4 million acres (1). There is high potential to remove carbon from the air and then to sequester carbon on this large land area.

As an example of soil conditions across Canada, SOM levels are now decreasing on 82 percent of Ontario farmland and 54 percent of Ontario farmland currently has an erosion risk that is too high (2). Increasing SOM improves resilience of food production and sustainable agriculture and is correlated with other indicators of soil health such as decreasing soil erosion and compaction and increasing soil microbial activity, aggregate stability, nutrient retention and water holding capacity (3).

The international initiative "4 per 1000", was launched by France, December 2015 at COP 21. An annual growth rate of 0.4% in the soil carbon stocks, or 4% per year, in the first 30-40 cm of soil, would significantly reduce carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere (4).

Soil texture affects the potential for a "good" rating of SOM level; e.g. sandy soils are good at 2.5% SOM and clay loam and clay soils are good at 4.5% SOM. Soil texture cannot be changed by farmers but SOM levels can be changed and to reward these efforts fairly, it is important to adjust ratings and payments to the inherent soil texture in each field (2). The rating categories of SOM levels are very good, good, fair and poor (2).

This proposal includes voluntary participation, albeit with a consistent scientific protocol, and direct payments proportional to SOM levels, if applicable. The only time such assessment would be mandatory is when the land is sold. The rationale is that maintaining or improving SOM levels contribute to the public good and if SOM levels are allowed to decline to poor levels the public good of agricultural resilience will be compromised. In addition, there will be increased carbon dioxide emissions as SOM levels decline.

Given that SOM levels change slowly and variability should be captured on field and sub-field scales (2), this proposal includes a recommendation to sample every field, every 5 years according to a scientific protocol. A farmer concerned about low SOM levels prior to selling land, could sample 5 years prior to selling and would have an incentive to increase SOM levels before the land is sold.

1. Census of Agriculture. 2016.

https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/170510/dq170510a-eng.htm...

2) Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). 2018. "New Horizons: Ontario's Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy." Last modified May 14, 2018. omafra.gov.on.ca/english/landuse/soil-strategy.htm

3) Gaudin, A.C.M., Westra, S., Loucks, C.E.S., Janovicek, K. Martin, R.C. and Deen, W. 2013. Improving Resilience of Northern Field Crop Systems Using Inter-Seeded Red Clover: A Review. Agronomy (Open Access) 3: 148-180; doi:10.3390/agronomy3010148

4) The "4 per 1000" Initiative. 2020.

https://www.4p1000.org/

Green Value(s)

Ecological Wisdom, Sustainability

Relation to Existing Policy

Add to current GPC policy.

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List of Endorsements

Avatar: Ryder Bergerud Ryder Bergerud
Avatar: Jamie Ker Jamie Ker
Amend Proposal Improve this proposal by modifying its title and body
Endorsements count2
G21-P001 Support Carbon Sequestration on Farms Comments 7

Reference: PVC-PROP-2021-06-2276
Version number 7 (of 7) see other versions
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Value: 46bcf15cef1c9311d9a896169130aded06342aedf744ddd125042cb5903e8715

Source: {"body":{"en":"<h4>Submitter Name</h4><p>Ralph Martin</p><h4>Ratification Vote Results: Adopted</h4><p><br></p><h4>Proposal</h4><p>GPC supports incentive payments for measurable outcomes of soil organic matter (SOM) on fields with increasing or good SOM levels. GPC supports a mandatory measurement of SOM when farmland is sold, and if SOM is then poor, the land will be taxed. Both payments and taxes will be proportional to SOM levels according to a consistent scientific protocol.&nbsp;</p><h4>Objective</h4><p>The objective is to arrest the trend of declining soil organic matter (SOM) on agricultural land in Canada and to start increasing SOM on agricultural land to improve soil health, while also removing carbon dioxide from air.</p><h4>Benefit</h4><p>Removing carbon dioxide from air advances the shift toward net zero emissions. Increasing SOM improves resilience of food production and is correlated with other indicators of soil health such as decreasing soil erosion and compaction and increasing soil microbial activity, aggregate stability, nutrient retention and water holding capacity.</p><h4>Supporting Comments from Submitter</h4><p>The 2016 Canadian Census shows that the total agricultural area in Canada was 158.7 million acres and the total area dedicated to cropland was 93.4 million acres (1). There is high potential to remove carbon from the air and then to sequester carbon on this large land area.</p><p>As an example of soil conditions across Canada, SOM levels are now decreasing on 82 percent of Ontario farmland and 54 percent of Ontario farmland currently has an erosion risk that is too high (2). Increasing SOM improves resilience of food production and sustainable agriculture and is correlated with other indicators of soil health such as decreasing soil erosion and compaction and increasing soil microbial activity, aggregate stability, nutrient retention and water holding capacity (3).</p><p>The international initiative \"4 per 1000\", was launched by France, December 2015 at COP 21. An annual growth rate of 0.4% in the soil carbon stocks, or 4% per year, in the first 30-40 cm of soil, would significantly reduce carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere (4).</p><p>Soil texture affects the potential for a \"good\" rating of SOM level; e.g. sandy soils are good at 2.5% SOM and clay loam and clay soils are good at 4.5% SOM. Soil texture cannot be changed by farmers but SOM levels can be changed and to reward these efforts fairly, it is important to adjust ratings and payments to the inherent soil texture in each field (2). The rating categories of SOM levels are very good, good, fair and poor (2).</p><p>This proposal includes voluntary participation, albeit with a consistent scientific protocol, and direct payments proportional to SOM levels, if applicable. The only time such assessment would be mandatory is when the land is sold. The rationale is that maintaining or improving SOM levels contribute to the public good and if SOM levels are allowed to decline to poor levels the public good of agricultural resilience will be compromised. In addition, there will be increased carbon dioxide emissions as SOM levels decline.</p><p>Given that SOM levels change slowly and variability should be captured on field and sub-field scales (2), this proposal includes a recommendation to sample every field, every 5 years according to a scientific protocol. A farmer concerned about low SOM levels prior to selling land, could sample 5 years prior to selling and would have an incentive to increase SOM levels before the land is sold.</p><p>1. Census of Agriculture. 2016.</p><p><a href=\"https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/170510/dq170510a-eng.htm?indid=10441-2&amp;indgeo=0\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/170510/dq170510a-eng.htm...</a></p><p>2) Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). 2018. \"New Horizons: Ontario's Agricultural Soil Health and Conservation Strategy.\" Last modified May 14, 2018. omafra.gov.on.ca/english/landuse/soil-strategy.htm</p><p>3) Gaudin, A.C.M., Westra, S., Loucks, C.E.S., Janovicek, K. Martin, R.C. and Deen, W. 2013. Improving Resilience of Northern Field Crop Systems Using Inter-Seeded Red Clover: A Review. Agronomy (Open Access) 3: 148-180; doi:10.3390/agronomy3010148</p><p>4) The \"4 per 1000\" Initiative. 2020.</p><p><a href=\"https://www.4p1000.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.4p1000.org/</a></p><h4>Green Value(s)</h4><p>Ecological Wisdom, Sustainability</p><h4>Relation to Existing Policy</h4><p>Add to current GPC policy.</p>","fr":"<h4>Auteur</h4><p>Ralph Martin</p><h4>Proposition</h4><p>Le PVC soutient les paiements incitatifs pour des résultats mesurables de la matière organique du sol (MOS) sur les champs dont les niveaux de MOS sont en augmentation ou bons. Le PVC est en faveur d'une mesure obligatoire de la teneur en matière organique du sol lors de la vente des terres agricoles et, si la teneur en matière organique du sol est mauvaise, la terre sera taxée. Les paiements et les taxes seront proportionnels aux niveaux de MOS selon un protocole scientifique cohérent.</p><h4>Objectif</h4><p>L'objectif est d'arrêter la tendance au déclin de la matière organique du sol (MOS) sur les terres agricoles au Canada et de commencer à augmenter la MOS sur les terres agricoles pour améliorer la santé du sol, tout en éliminant le dioxyde de carbone de l'air.</p><h4>Avantage</h4><p>L'élimination du dioxyde de carbone de l'air favorise le passage à des émissions nettes nulles. L'augmentation de la teneur en matières organiques améliore la résilience de la production alimentaire et est corrélée à d'autres indicateurs de la santé des sols, tels que la diminution de l'érosion et du compactage des sols et l'augmentation de l'activité microbienne des sols, de la stabilité des agrégats, de la rétention des nutriments et de la capacité de rétention d'eau.</p><h4>Commentaires d’appui de l’auteur.e</h4><p><strong></strong>Le recensement canadien de 2016 montre que la superficie agricole totale du Canada était de 158,7 millions d'acres et que la superficie totale consacrée aux terres cultivées était de 93,4 millions d'acres (1). Il existe un fort potentiel pour éliminer le carbone de l'air, puis pour séquestrer le carbone sur cette vaste superficie.</p><p>À titre d'exemple de l'état des sols au Canada, les niveaux de MOS sont actuellement en baisse sur 82 % des terres agricoles de l'Ontario et 54 % des terres agricoles de l'Ontario présentent actuellement un risque d'érosion trop élevé (2). L'augmentation de la teneur en MOS améliore la résilience de la production alimentaire et de l'agriculture durable et est corrélée à d'autres indicateurs de la santé des sols, comme la diminution de l'érosion et du compactage des sols et l'augmentation de l'activité microbienne des sols, de la stabilité des agrégats, de la rétention des nutriments et de la capacité de rétention de l'eau (3).</p><p>L'initiative internationale « 4 pour 1 000 », a été lancée par la France, en décembre 2015 lors de la COP 21. Un taux de croissance annuel de 0,4 % des stocks de carbone du sol, soit 4 % par an, dans les 30 à 40 premiers centimètres du sol, permettrait de réduire significativement les concentrations de dioxyde de carbone dans l'atmosphère (4).</p><p>La texture du sol influe sur la possibilité d'obtenir une « bonne » note pour le niveau de MOS ; par exemple, les sols sableux sont bons à 2,5 % de MOS et les sols argileux et limoneux sont bons à 4,5 % de MOS. La texture du sol ne peut pas être modifiée par les agriculteurs mais les niveaux de SOM peuvent l'être, et pour récompenser ces efforts de manière équitable, il est important d'ajuster les évaluations et les paiements à la texture inhérente du sol dans chaque champ (2). Les catégories d'évaluation des niveaux de MOS sont très bonnes, bonnes, moyennes et mauvaises (2).</p><p>Cette proposition prévoit une participation volontaire, mais avec un protocole scientifique cohérent, et des paiements directs proportionnels aux niveaux de MOS, le cas échéant. Le seul moment où une telle évaluation serait obligatoire serait lors de la vente de la terre. Le raisonnement est le suivant : le maintien ou l'amélioration des niveaux de MOS contribue au bien public et si on laisse les niveaux de MOS baisser jusqu'à des niveaux médiocres, le bien public de la résilience agricole sera compromis. En outre, les émissions de dioxyde de carbone augmenteront à mesure que les niveaux de MOS diminueront.</p><p>Étant donné que les niveaux de MOS évoluent lentement et que la variabilité doit être saisie à l'échelle du champ et du sous-champ (2), cette proposition comprend une recommandation d'échantillonnage de chaque champ, tous les 5 ans, conformément à un protocole scientifique. Un agriculteur préoccupé par les faibles niveaux de MOS avant la vente de sa terre pourrait prélever des échantillons 5 ans avant la vente et serait incité à augmenter les niveaux de MOS avant la vente de la terre.</p><p>1. Recensement de l'agriculture. 2016. https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/170510/dq170510a-eng.htm.</p><p>2) Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation et des Affaires rurales de l'Ontario (MAAARO). 2018. « Nouveaux horizons : Stratégie de conservation et de santé des sols agricoles de l'Ontario. » Dernière modification le 14 mai 2018. omafra.gov.on.ca/french/landuse/soil-strategy.htm.</p><p>3) Gaudin, A.C.M., Westra, S., Loucks, C.E.S., Janovicek, K. Martin, R.C. et Deen, W. 2013. Améliorer la résilience des systèmes de grandes cultures du Nord en utilisant le trèfle rouge intercalaire : Une revue. Agronomie (Accès libre) 3 : 148-180 ; doi:10.3390/agronomy3010148</p><p>4) L'initiative « 4 pour 1 000 ». 2020. https://www.4p1000.org/</p><h4>Valeur(s) Vertes</h4><p>Sagesse écologique, Développement durable</p><h4>Lien avec la politique actuelle</h4><p>Ajouter à la politique actuelle du PVC.</p>"},"title":{"en":"G21-P001 Support Carbon Sequestration on Farms","fr":"G21-P001 Soutenir le piégeage du carbone dans les exploitations agricoles"}}

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Avatar: Ken Azad Mohammed Ken Azad Mohammed
26/03/2022 12:38
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I very much like the idea of encouraging farmers to increase soil quality and quantity. I think this proposal should be included in a larger carbon sequestration plan after further refinement.

Conversation with Connie Miller
Avatar: Connie Miller Connie Miller
08/06/2022 21:53
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I worry that natural disasters could ruin a farmer through no fault of his own. If the SOM was quite high and then there were say 3 years of extreme drought or 3 years of a nasty flood, the organic material could burn out of the soil or wash out and the farmer, facing economic hardship and forced to sell would also be severely taxed. It is always in a farmer's best interest to achieve the most productive soil possible and demonstration plots can educate farmers on ways to improve SOM and hence, highly fertile and productive soils. Climate changes could bring our farmers nasty surprises and create a chain of hardships. Focusing on our peatlands and other solution sources might be important to mitigate and stabilize what is beyond control of our best intentions.

Comment moderated on 10/06/2022 08:27
Avatar: Shel Goldstein Shel Goldstein
09/06/2022 23:39
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Beyond "Blocking" can this Vaishali's comments be deleted ?

Conversation with Colin Lathe
Avatar: Colin Lathe Colin Lathe
08/06/2022 22:50
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I strongly urge that this policy as written be rejected - especially because of the way the shorter version of the proposal is written with respect to the taxation portion. It makes no sense to tax a person selling an inorganic field. This is a recipe that will leave unproductive fields in a sort of limbo and will not guarantee any sort of remediation to the soil. Provide the incentives to make the soil 'richer' - great idea! - but stay away from making the sale of land to prospective owners who would improve the land a detriment by taxing the seller.

Comment moderated on 10/06/2022 08:28
Avatar: Shel Goldstein Shel Goldstein
09/06/2022 23:46
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Spam

Avatar: WeDecide! Administrators Group WeDecide! Administrators Group verified-badge
10/06/2022 08:26
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Avatar: Ian Chapman Ian Chapman
12/06/2022 20:36
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Tax upon sale of land. Who pays the seller or buyer not clear. In any case the buyer should know what is being sold. I'll vote yes to this one.

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