WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA — The Canadian Council of Canola (CCC) sees potential in Canada’s proposed rule for the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) as it provides options for Canadian farmers’ growing practices to be accepted at a national level without any additional on-farm requirements.

“We’re pleased to see the proposed CFS allow canola to be used for biofuel without complex and costly on-farm regulatory burden, in line with US biofuel regulations,” said Jim Everson, president of the CCC. “The CFS can create a strong domestic market for canola, reducing reliance on volatile global markets and at the same time contribute to improved air quality through greenhouse gas reduction.”

The Council will be seeking more information on the methodology for calculating carbon intensity values, which will be a factor that drives demand for canola under the CFS.

CFS could create increased use of canola-based biofuels generating more value-added agriculture processing, economic growth and jobs in Canada.

According to the CCC, modeling the government’s proposed regulation estimates that the biofuel content in diesel could be 11% in 2030, up from the current 2% national requirement that could create a market the size of Japan for Canadian canola growers.

Under the proposed CFS, Environment and Climate Change Canada would consider the absence of increased net land use for agriculture sufficient to satisfy sustainability criteria, meaning that no further compliance, audits or certification of feedstocks would be necessary.

“Using more canola here in Canada is a key opportunity to increase value-added processing and diversify our markets,” Everson said. “We’re focused on creating market opportunities for canola biofuel, and we’re hopeful the final CFS will provide that opportunity if Ottawa gets it right.”

Canadian canola could contribute to reducing the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“Canola takes carbon from the air — lowering greenhouse gases in the atmosphere — and uses it to produce food and fuel,” Everson said. “Increased demand for canola while contributing to GHG emission reduction is a Canadian win-win.”

The overall goal of CFS is to reduce GHG emissions by more than 20 megatonnes and reduce total emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030.