Pressure for continued acceptance of agricultural technology tools such as herbicides and breeding techniques is having ramifications here in Canada, both domestically and internationally.
While the September ruling by the EU to maintain glyphosate’s registration for another 10 years appears to be a positive move, the fact that glyphosate has been on the chopping block for quite some time points to the role of science-based regulation and policy for agriculture. That’s a good reason to better understand and support Canadian Grains Council President Erin Gowlik.
The Canadian Grains Council will bring together all aspects of the grain value chain to build consensus and collaborate, provide internal forums for discussion and coordinate on common issues, Gowryuk said. Promoting sound science as the basis for policy and regulatory decisions is one of the issues the group champions.
In Gouruluk’s view, this is important. Because the government can choose one of two ways. Either stick to science to achieve your agricultural and environmental goals based on facts, or embrace and fuel misconceptions about agriculture and the environment to appeal to voters. The latter leads to wasted time, misinformation, and policies with unintended negative consequences.
Listen to the full discussion here.
highlight:
- Sound science is at the heart of grain regulation and trade and plays a role in regulatory decisions that affect trade
- Science-based decision-making leads to more favorable outcomes and achieves agri-environmental objectives and goals.
- Governments can respond to science-based policymaking by leading with science or using misinformation to appear aligned with voters.
- Currently, Mexican farmers are frustrated by government policies that do not take their perspectives into account, as well as EU policy decisions that affect food security and the use of glyphosate.
- Policies that are not based on science can have unintended consequences, including negative impacts on food security, reduced production, and increased costs.
- Concerns about climate change are increasing the focus on sustainability in agriculture
- Canadian farmers rely on glyphosate to practice sustainability, and a ban could impact trade and commitments.
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