AGRICULTURE:
Fertilizers

Three major nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorous and potash – are used as synthetic chemical fertilizers in industrial agriculture. According to the OECD, the application of these fertilizers “reflects the specialisation and intensification of cropping practices.”28

These chemical fertilizers pose a threat to human health and the environment, particularly with respect to water quality. Nitrates from fertilizer can accumulate in groundwater and can reduce the ability of human blood to carry oxygen. Infants are particularly susceptible to nitrate poisoning – a phenomenon known as blue baby syndrome.

Canada’s OECD Ranking
Canada ranks 25th out of 28 OECD nations in terms of consumption of commercial fertilizers (both on a per capita and a total basis). Canada used 90 kilograms of commercial fertilizers per capita in 1997. Only Australia, New Zealand and Ireland use more fertilizer per capita.

In total, Canada used 2,753,000 tonnes of commercial fertilizers in 1997, with only the United States, France and Germany using larger amounts.

Trend
Canadian consumption of commercial fertilizers increased by 42% between 1980 and 1997. In contrast, the OECD as a whole experienced a 10% decrease in fertilizer use. Nineteen out of 28 OECD nations decreased their fertilizer use between 1980 and 1997.

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