The agriculture industry is supporting the efforts of farmers to become more environmentally sustainable by working with government and other agencies to provide guidelines and codes that define acceptable agricultural practice, encourage the adoption of environmental farm plans, and, in some cases, offer peer advice on resolving nuisance or pollution complaints. Water quality problems are often evident in specific watersheds and are felt by whole communities. They must be dealt with at this geographical scale, beginning with the creation of a coalition that represents all interests and is ideally motivated and led by farmers and other landowners. Several examples of successful endeavours of this kind exist in Canada. Introduction Protecting water quality is a concern for all Canadians.
Farmers are the first to be affected by pollution from farm-derived substances.
It is in their best interest to take steps to protect water quality, rethinking the way resources are used and balancing production goals with the need for environmental quality. The benefits they reap by reducing the pollution resulting from agriculture may include greater efficiency and productivity, lower production costs, and improved health for their families and animals. Agricultural industry groups can support individual farmers in their efforts to protect water quality through means such as education, technology transfer, and assistance in identifying and carrying out appropriate management practices. Protecting water quality often becomes a community concern, bringing the interests of farmers together with those of many other water users. Community efforts to protect water quality must focus on the whole watershed and involve people with various backgrounds and interests.