The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec announce $35.3 million, part of which is funded under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, to support producers who adopt more sustainable farming practices. This new investment makes it possible to launch the fourth enrolment period of the Rétribution agroenvironnementale (Rewarding of Agri-Environmental Practices) and up to 1,200 new farm businesses will be eligible for support under the initiative. The total direct aid to businesses as part of this flagship measure of the Plan d'agriculture durable (Sustainable Agriculture Plan) 2020-2030 (PAD) will reach $122 million. To date, the assistance offered to businesses has made it possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 150,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent and the use of pesticides by more than 200,000 kg.
The announcement was made today at Ferme Édiphraniel in Lotbinière by Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Minister Responsible for the Centre-du-Québec Region André Lamontagne and Lotbinière-Frontenac MNA Isabelle Lecours.
Farmers stepping up
The 3 registration periods for the Initiative ministérielle de rétribution des pratiques agroenvironnementales (Ministerial initiative to reward agri-environmental practices) generated great enthusiasm. Since 2022, some 3,200 farm businesses have adopted good practices on almost 520,000 hectares in total. This represents 40% of Quebec's annual crop area.
Stricter requirements
These additional investment will make it possible to accelerate the adoption of more ambitious agri-environmental practices that will directly help to achieve the targets of the PAD. For example, businesses will be asked to take their soil protection practices out of season further by using root crops and cutting back on mineral nitrogen fertilizer use.
For 2 growing seasons, each business could be eligible for a total of up to $50,000 under the initiative. The registration period will begin on March 5 and end on March 31 or when the envelope is exhausted.
