A Saskatchewan farm leader is telling the Commons agriculture committee to support exemption of farm use of natural gas and propane from the federal carbon tax.

Canadian Federation of Agriculture vice president Todd Lewis says alternatives to grain drying with natural gas and propane are being developed but are not yet in widespread use.

He says farmers are facing higher costs because of the carbon tax and need to be exempt for on-farm use.

A private members bill to exempt farm propane and natural gas from the carbon tax has support of all opposition parties.

A similar bill died on the order paper last year after the federal election was called.
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