The Manitoba government is developing a carbon pricing structure in response to the federal government's announcement last fall that all provinces must have a carbon pricing system in place by the end of 2018 or it will impose a system.

Keystone Agricultural Producers is calling for certain exemptions for farmers and a reinvestment into agriculture of carbon taxes collected from other greenhouse gas emitters.

KAP General Manager James Battershill says it's critical to maintain the ability of Manitoba farmers to compete with those in other regions.

James Battershill-Keystone Agricultural Producers

We do see that there are lots of opportunities for farmers to undertake projects and adapt practices that would reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon and those are shared amongst the industries that are present in Manitoba.

We think that if the government and Manitobans in general want to see a reduction in greenhouse gases that it would be worthwhile to invest some of the other revenue that gets generated through other emitters of greenhouse gases in Manitoba recycled back into agricultural programming.

You would see a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with projects.

We would also like to see some of those dollars recycled into initiatives that help Manitoba farmers become more resilient to some of the extreme weather challenges that we're expecting to face associated with climate change.

That could be things like research into more drought resistant crop varieties for example.

Subsequent to that we're hopeful to see some research and revenue generated and dedicated to initiatives that help farmers actually take advantage of some of the new production conditions that we may potentially see.

KAP is calling on the province to consult directly with farmers.

Mr Battershill says KAP has been doing extensive consultations with its members but it's important for government to reach out to farmers directly.