The federal government is refusing to relent on its 35 per cent tariff on fertilizer imported from Russia, much of it nitrogen and ordered before the tariff was announced.
Conservative agriculture critic John Barlow said Canada is the only G7 country that imposed fertilizer tariffs.
Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said she increased the limit on advance payments so farmers can better afford sky-rocketing input costs.
Conservative Richard Lehoux said the tariff does not hurt Russia, but does hurt farmers and is increasing the cost of producing food.
Paul Samson, associate deputy minister of agriculture, told the Commons agriculture committee that companies are seeking alternatives to Russia for future supplies.
“There are also plans being looked at as to how we could increase production in the eastern part of Canada or transport additional fertilizer from the western part of the country,” he said.
Grain Farmers of Ontario was one of the farm organizations that lobbied for the tariff to be lifted.
