Environment Canada

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National Agri-Environmental Standards
Initiative For the Agricultural Policy Framework
Environment Canada
October 25, 2004
2004
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Outline

• APF Context
• EC Context
• NAESI Approach
• Linkages
• Outcomes Benefits

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Agriculture Policy Framework Context

• Agriculture Ministers agreed to accelerate action
  towards common environmental goals for air,
  water, soil, biodiversity and farm environmental
  management
• Goal is to brand Canada as the world leader in
  food safety, innovation and, environmentally
  responsible production

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APF Context Elements of the framework agreement
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AGRICULTURAL POLICY FRAMEWORK- CONTEXT FOR NAESI
Reduce Agricultural Risk and Provide Benefits to
quality of Air, Biodiversity, Soil and Water
Renewal
Food Safety
Business Risk Management
Environment
Delivery Mechanisms
Science And Innovation
On- Farm Action
Knowledge Information tools
Performance Measurement

• Environmental
• Farm Plans
• Stewardship
• (BMPs)
• Greencover
• National Water
• Supply Expansion
• Program
• Certification

• Environmental
• Technology
• Assessment
• National Land
• Water Information
• System
• Minor Use
• Pesticides

• NAESI
• NAHARP
• Water Quality
• Survey (HC)

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Environment Canada Context

• Joint MOU provides framework for standards
• 4 year mandate (2004-2008), 25M budget
• Advance environment mandate via AAFC- Agriculture
  Sector collaboration on priority issues (of
  Environment Chapter)
• Integration of agriculture programs with other
  federal priorities for the environment

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NAESI Context

• Goal Support a consistent national approach to
  achievement of common environmental outcomes over
  the long term
• Support the move to environmental farm planning
  and farm certification
• Enhance environmental performance of agricultural
  sector and Promote environmental stewardship

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NAESI Approach

• Development of Environmental Performance
• Standards for 4 themes
• Air, Biodiversity, Pesticides and Water
• Standards are
• practical and consistent science-based benchmarks
  to help guide the design of farm practices in
  achieving desired environmental outcomes
• not intended as regulatory instruments

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NAESI Approach Definitions

• Performance Standards definition (EC)
• Establish the degree of desired environmental
  quality of air, water , biodiversity and soil in
  agricultural areas
• Quantitative or qualitative measures (benchmarks)
  of desired environmental performance
• Defined in terms of
• ideal maximum concentration of toxic substances
• specified condition of the environment
• as habitat standards (biodiversity)

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NAESI Approach Definitions

• Process Standard definition (AAFC)
• Recommended production methodologies to reduce
  negative environmental impacts
• Can be defined in terms of farming practices or
  maintenance of habitat or species
• Also known as Beneficial Management Practices

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NAESI Approach

• Scoping year key priorities(2004-2005)
• Identify and assess key agriculture pressures and
  high risk sectors to determine priorities
• Assess and evaluate existing standards/guidelines,
  certification systems, etc
• Review and/or develop methodologies
• Demonstrate early action in key areas through
  pilot projects
• Integration with Environment Chapter programs
• Standard development (2005-2008)
• Testing assessment validation implementation

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Environmental quality objectives/goals

• Air
• Achievable standards that reduce farm
  contribution to
• Airborne particulate matter
• Greenhouse gases
• Odour
• Biodiversity
• Quality quantity of habitat that actually
  produces aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity.
• Reduce the negative effects of agricultural
  practices on nature, and of nature on
  agriculture.

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Environmental quality objectives/goals

• Water
• Environmental performance standards for
• Pathogens
• Nutrients
• Water conservation
• Instream flow needs
• Sediment influx
• Pesticides
• Reduce the risk of pesticide impact through the
  use of reduced risk pesticides
• Change in behaviour from a reliance on pesticides
  to Integrated Pest Management

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NAESI Approach - Linkages

• Linkages with other APF environment Chapter
  Programs
• Standards and Indicators
• National Agri-Environmental Health and Reporting
  Program
• Water Quality Surveillance Program (pathogens)
• Standards and Stewardship initiatives
• Environmental Farm Plans
• Beneficial management practices
• Environmental Farm Scans
• Certification

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NAESI Approach

• Standards and Information tools
• National land and Water Information Service
• Environmental Technology Assessment for
  Agriculture

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NAESI outcomes

• Environment quality objectives are achieved via
  Environmental Performance Standards (benchmarks)
  for air, biodiversity, pesticides, soil and water
  
• Provide tools and techniques to relate
  Performance Standards to Process Standards (BMPs)
  linkage with EFPs
• Standards to assist farmers in enhancing their
  environmental performance and to report
  environmental performance against
• ECs priorities will be integrated within the
  suite of APF Environment Chapter programs
• Farming community one step closer to achieving
  Sustainable agriculture and Environmental farm
  certification