By the Numbers: A National Food Policy could protect our natural resources, promote food security
Toronto – September 13, 2017 – As the global population rises and climate change transforms crop patterns, it is becoming increasingly important to protect our natural resources and food supply. A national food policy could safeguard our soil, water, air, and other resources by encouraging environmentally sustainable farming practices. This would enhance our food security by ensuring Canadians have a reliable, long-term, and abundant supply of food. Below are some key statistics regarding Canada’s farmland, food resources, and farming practices.
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7.2 – Percentage of Canada’s total land base that is comprised of farm land.
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7.6 – Percentage increase in soil cover, an indicator of soil health, in Canada from 1981 to 2011.
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Canada’s diverse agricultural landscape provides habitat to roughly 600 species of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, but biodiversity is declining.
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14 – Percentage decrease in Canadian farmland biodiversity between 1996 and 2011 (85% of farmland maintained its habitat capacity over the same period).
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Increased fertilizer and pesticide use and a higher concentration of livestock are putting water quality at risk, while the overuse of pesticides is contributing to a decline in bee populations, which threatens the global food supply.
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10 – Percentage of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions attributable to agriculture in 2015. Evidently, cutting our GHG emissions can reduce our impact on the environment.
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3 – Percentage of all GHG emissions attributable to food waste.
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20 – Percentage of all methane emissions attributable to food waste.
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40 – Percentage of all food produced that goes uneaten annually. This amounts to $31 billion or 2% of Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP).
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Canada’s food waste sources include:
o 47% from households;
o 20% from processing;
o 10% from retail;
o 10% from farming;
o 9% from restaurants and hotels; and
o 4% from transportation and distribution.
Source: “A Food Policy for Canada,” Government of Canada, Online, 2 June 2017.
