Schow not a fan of federal fertilizer talks

CARDSTON-SIKSIKA MLA JOSEPH SCHOW

By Cole Parkinson
Vauxhall Advance
cparkinson@tabertimes.com

While the federal government has had talks around a 30 per cent reduction in fertilizer emissions, Cardston-Siksika MLA Joseph Schow is another voice speaking out against it.

“It’s just unnecessary,” stated Schow. “Every farmer, margins are already slim in agriculture and so every farmer and rancher is looking for more ways to be efficient and to be more eco-friendly. They till the land, they respect the land, they cultivate the land, and this is their job. They don’t need the federal government coming in and telling them they need to be better. They work on that every day and I have farmers going to different countries looking at new technology, ways to invest in their businesses so they can be more green and more efficient.”

Schow further explained this was another overstep by the federal government, in his opinion.

“This fertilizer ban, to me, it just seems unnecessary and another overstep from the federal government. As a province and as an MLA, I’m going to fight back,” he added.

With agriculture being the backbone of rural Alberta, Schow explained his desire to help farmers out in any way he can. And with a potential chance to fertilizer emissions, Schow sees this as another hindrance to farmers as they look to continue to feed the world.

“What can you say that hasn’t already been said? These men and women go out every day and regardless of circumstance, they make it happen and make it work,” he continued. “What I’ve seen first hand in the ag sector in southern Alberta particularly, is how it’s a community. Everybody has an interest in getting their crops in and seeds planted, but if someone’s combine goes down, they call a neighbour, and they bring in another combine from a neighbour’s farm. Everybody is helping each other to get this done and I have to give a big shoutout to our farmers for doing that. This is a big family and everybody is trying to make sure everyone else is doing well also.”

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