NEWS HIGHLIGHT
Federal aid for soaked prairie cropland
Help is on the way for prairie farmers dealing with excess moisture and flooding through the largest and fastest AgriRecovery relief package to date.
July 9, 2010 – Help is on the way
for prairie farmers dealing with excess moisture and flooding through
the largest and fastest AgriRecovery relief package to date. The
Governments of Canada, Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba, will make up
to $450 million available to help farmers take immediate steps to
protect and restore damaged cropland.
Through the Governments’ action, producers will receive $30 per acre in assistance to adopt measures to protect, rehabilitate and manage affected cropland.
“Having toured many of the flooded areas and seen the impact of the extremely wet conditions first-hand, we realized the urgent need for this additional support,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud. “This year has brought truly exceptional circumstances."
In addition to this assistance, existing federal-provincial Business Risk Management programs, such as AgriInsurance (crop insurance), AgriStability and AgriInvest, will significantly help farmers manage the impact of this natural disaster as the first lines of defence to address income shortfalls.
“The heavy rains that fell in Central and Southern Alberta in June have resulted in extraordinary losses for crop producers. I had the opportunity to visit and see the damage in the affected areas and am pleased that we are able to provide producers with some financial relief,” said Alberta Agriculture Minister Jack Hayden. “This payment will certainly help address the costs of maintaining these lands so producers can have a better year in 2011.”
“Crop insurance is the first line of defence for farmers when dealing with excess moisture, unfortunately this year, excessive moisture across the prairies is creating extreme financial challenges for many farmers,” said Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Stan Struthers. “Farmers need a rapid response to help them with their current cash flow situation and get on with operations during the balance of this cropping year.”
An AgriRecovery response allows governments to respond quickly when disaster strikes a region and to address gaps not covered by existing programs.
This assistance is contingent on Governments finalizing program authorities.
Farmers will be informed by their provincial delivery agents in their respective provinces about program parameters and application details.
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