Environmental Protection in Agricultural Areas

• Watercourses
• Greenhouse Gas
• Biodiversity
• Pesticides

Watercourses

Watercourse protection and water quality improvement are key issues in agricultural areas. Considerable attention must therefore be given to fertilizer management and soil conservation with a view to preventing contamination of watercourses and degradation of the aquatic environment. For more information:

• Your Watercourses: An Asset to Protect in Agricultural Areas (French)
• Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution in Agricultural Areas: Reflections Based on the Modeling of Agricultural Practice Scenarios to Meet the Phosphorus Criteria for the Prevention of Eutrophication in Rivière aux Brochets (French)
• Experimental Mechanisms for Evaluating the Effect of Implementing Best Agricultural Practices on Water Quality (French)
• Capacity of Rivers to Support Agricultural Activities: The Case of Total Phosphorous (French)
• Integrated Water Management by Drainage Basin (French)
• Cyanobacteria
• 2007–2010 Concerted Action Plan on the Agro-Environment and Harmonious Coexistence (French, MAPAQ)
• St. Lawrence Plan (Agriculture Coordination Committee)

Greenhouse Gas

The agricultural sector contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by, among other things, agricultural soil management, enteric fermentation, and manure management. Government implemented programs to enable farm operators to access funding to reduce their GHG emissions. For more information:

• Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (French)
• 2006-2012 Climate Change Action Plan

Biodiversity

Biodiversity conservation in agricultural areas is important for preserving essential ecosystems. Québec’s agricultural land base is affected by this issue because it is home to a great number of animal and plant species. For more information:

• Biodiversity – A Farmer’s Natural Allies, Wealth to Be Preserved (French)
• Biosafety and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) (French)
• Ecological Service Information Capsules (French)
• Biodiversity in Agricultural Areas (French, MRNF)

Pesticides

In Québec, the agricultural sector is where most pesticides are used, which is why regulations on pesticide use in agricultural areas aim to ensure that producers take all the necessary steps and precautions in their use of pesticides. For more information:

• Pesticides in Agricultural Areas