Environment committee  The government indicated that it was intending to work with the agriculture sector to look at opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with fertilizer use. That work is ongoing.

Agriculture committee  Thank you for the question. I'll start a response, but again I'll look to my colleagues to supplement if they wish. I would note that there are regular assessments of the environmental impact of the Canadian agricultural partnership's business risk management programs. These periodic assessments take place every five years, I believe, and since the coming into force of the Farm Income Protection Act, there have been seven environmental impact assessments conducted.

Agriculture committee  Unfortunately, I'd have to follow up on that. It is part of the existing Canadian agricultural partnership, so there's both funding that is cost-shared with the provinces and territories, as well as specific programs that are—

Agriculture committee  Certainly.

Agriculture committee  I think my answer would be a fairly general one in the sense that the government has made it very clear that it intends to work closely with farm groups, producer organizations, the food industry and other stakeholders to very much explore these opportunities and look for ways to address environmental issues, such as climate change, while at the same time expanding and growing businesses.

Agriculture committee  The 4R process refers to a set of practices and activities that I believe has been developed by Fertilizer Canada. It is very much about practices that farmers can undertake to improve the application of fertilizer. I'll turn to one of my colleagues who may be able to speak in a little more detail on the four elements that were noted.

Agriculture committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the question. It's a very good question. I will turn to Javier from our science and technology branch to respond to this one.

Agriculture committee  I might turn to my colleague, Dr. Gracia-Garza, to see if he has any comments regarding the national inventory report.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much for the question. I will perhaps make a few comments and then see if my colleagues would like to add to this. It's very much an important part of the new programs that were announced in the strengthened climate plan and budget 2021. These look at ways to work directly with farmers through both the living laboratories program that I mentioned in my opening remarks, as well as through on-farm action through the top of the $200 million additional funding that was announced in budget 2021.

Agriculture committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. As mentioned, I'm Matt Parry. I'm the director general of the policy development and analysis directorate at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. It is a pleasure to see you all again. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about the agriculture sector's contribution as it relates to the environment.

Agriculture committee  I believe it was referring to a program that the Alberta government had to retrofit grain dryers. I believe it might have been Ms. Ross, from Farmers for Climate Solutions, who might have discussed that with the committee previously. I believe that was the program in question.

Agriculture committee  Yes, that's my understanding as well. I believe that that Alberta program was successful in supporting a number of retrofits. I'd have to get back to you with the specifics of that and the improvements that were achieved through it.

Agriculture committee  It states that the sector has made significant progress in reducing the emissions intensity of production and in producing agricultural products more sustainably, with a lower greenhouse gas emissions content. It speaks to the innovative capacity and performance of the agricultural sector in Canada.

Agriculture committee  The progress has been achieved over a number of years that predate the current carbon pollution pricing system. That's true.

Agriculture committee  I would note two elements to that. One would be the program I mentioned previously, the agricultural climate solutions program, which is focused specifically on carbon sequestration. As well, there was a subsequent announcement in budget 2021 that talked about an additional $200 million that would be devoted to on-farm action over two years.