The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) strongly supports the federal government’s decision to remove the consumer carbon tax, or fuel levy, effective Monday, calling it a “significant victory for Saskatchewan farmers.”

The organization has been opposed to the carbon tax since its inception in 2019.

APAS also appreciated the provincial government’s move to remove the carbon tax from all SaskPower bills and reduce the industrial rate under its Output-Based Performance Standards Program (OBPS) to zero. The group wants a thorough analysis of the impacts the OBPS program had on farm input costs.

President Bill Prybylski says getting rid of the carbon tax is more than relief, it was necessary to ensure farmers remain competitive in these uncertain economic times.

Prybylski also noted the carbon tax dug into the pockets of farmers, claiming they were about to pay 9 dollars per acre more from the tax this year alone.

The next thing on APAS’ radar is the “potential continuation of the railway fuel surcharges”, which they estimate could cost farmers $80 million this year.

Prybylski says they want assurance that the surcharges will also be eliminated. Moving forward, APAS wants any future climate policies to be developed in collaboration with the agriculture sector  “to avoid placing undue burdens on food producers.”