An Ontario farmers’ organization is calling on the federal government to drop its tariffs on the importation of certain fertilizers from Russia and Belarus, which are in place because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ryan Koeslag, executive director of the non-profit organization Ontario Bean Growers, says Canada should drop the tariffs immediately because it is the only Group of Seven nation imposing such a sanction.
Koeslag also said his organization welcomed the fact that Ottawa has collected $34 million through the tariff, but added that it “does not address that the tariff is still in place.”
“Direct compensation for the costs Canadian farmers have incurred already due to this unfair fertilizer tariff is the right thing to do,” he added.
Koeslag’s call for compensation was echoed by other farmer organizations, like the Atlantic Grains Council, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and the Grain Growers of Quebec.
“In a time of global uncertainty, reimbursing Canadian farmers for the tariff will balance some of the inflationary costs and help farmers grow more crops and food we need to feed Canadians and the world,” said Koeslag.
Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland previously said the federal government is considering introducing a subsidy that would bring down the cost of fertilizer for Canadian farmers
“We think it is very appropriate to have a conversation and make an effort to acknowledge that and to support those farmers,” Freeland told reporters in Ottawa on Dec. 15, 2022.
She added that she is “working closely” with Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on the matter and said there will be “more to say soon.”
“We as a country bear in mind the very specific interests of those farmers,” said Freeland.
The source said the fund would most likely be introduced in January 2022, but no such announcement has yet been made.
