GOVERNMENT’S BIO-DIESEL COMMITMENT WILL HAVE POSITIVE IMPACT ON YORKTON-MELVILLE CANOLA PRODUCERS

OTTAWA - An announcement made last week by the federal Ministers of Environment and Agriculture is not only a step forward in our government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gases, but it will also benefit Canadian farmers.

On February 10, 2011, Minister Peter Kent along with Minister Gerry Ritz announced that the Harper government is moving forward with the requirement for an average two per cent renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil, as presented in the Renewable Fuels Strategy.

Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, applauded the February 10 announcement.  With much of Canada’s canola grown in this area, Breitkreuz said the move will be a huge benefit for local producers.

“The Canola Council of Canada estimates our announcement to move forward on the two per cent requirement will create a sustainable domestic market for canola seed of about one million tonnes annually,” said Breitkreuz.  “This is great news for our area canola producers.  Our farmers will have another market for their crops, while contributing to the reduction of Canada's environmental footprint.”

The federal government's Renewable Fuels Regulations were published on September 1, 2010.  The regulations already require an average of five per cent renewable content in gasoline and contained the provisions to require an average of two per cent renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil.  When fully implemented, the Renewable Fuel Strategy's two regulatory requirements combined with provincial regulations will ensure a total volume of renewable fuel that will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by up to four megatonnes – about the equivalent of taking one million vehicles off the road.  The proposed regulatory amendment will be published in the Canada Gazette, Part I in the coming weeks for a 60-day public comment period. The Government of Canada is proposing a coming into force date of July 1, 2011.

“Our government worked closely with industry partners to support several projects to demonstrate how renewable diesel fuel would perform under a range of Canadian conditions, including cold weather.  The report concluded that an average of two per cent renewable content is feasible. With that, we are moving forward with this requirement which will result in further reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately in cleaner air for all Canadians,'' concluded Breitkreuz.

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For more information:
Glenda Eimantas
Parliamentary Assistant
Breitg0@parl.gc.ca
613-992-4394