The Canadian government commitment to reduce net emissions of greenhouse gases below 1990 levels has major implications for Canadian agriculture. Agriculture is a contributing source of manmade emissions of three greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Carbon dioxide comes from fossil fuel usage, and losses in soil organic matter. Methane comes from livestock manure and ruminant animals.
Nitrous oxide comes from fertilizer usage, crops and manure.
However, changing agricultural practices mean that the sum of these net emissions is declining. Canadian agriculture will be a significant player in national efforts to meet our international greenhouse gas obligations. A study completed in 1994 by the Working Group on Agriculture and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the National Agricultural Environment Committee found that the decrease is occurring for a number of reasons. These calculations are currently being reworked, using 1996 census information and recent research results. However, the overall pattern is not expected to differ when an updated report is released in 1998.