Released on August 4, 2011
Federal and provincial governments are once again providing support to producers affected by excess moisture on the Prairies. Approximately $448 million in federal-provincial AgriRecovery funding will help farmers and ranchers in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Manitoba address challenges caused by excess moisture.
"Extreme weather and flooding is once again hurting our Prairie farmers," said federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. "Governments have come together once again to develop a relief package that will help producers restore damaged cropland and transport feed or livestock so they can continue to produce the high quality grains and livestock the world has come to expect."
"I have seen first-hand the damage this year's flooding has caused and the many acres of crop, hay and pasture land that have been affected," Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. "I hope this assistance will help producers to address the challenges they are facing because of excess moisture."
"I've talked to producers all across our province who have shared with me the impact that excessive moisture has had on their livelihoods," said Minister of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Jack Hayden. "We will continue to work closely with the federal government to ensure our producers receive the resources and the support they need to deal with this devastating flood damage."
The AgriRecovery initiative will provide support of $30 per eligible acre for crop land that could not be seeded as of June 20, 2011, and crop land that was seeded but then flooded out on or before July 31, 2011.
Livestock producers who are coping with the effects of excess moisture this spring and summer can also apply for financial assistance to help cover additional costs, such as renting pasture and transporting feed or livestock. Specific program details will be provided by each province.
An AgriRecovery response allows governments to respond effectively when disaster strikes a region and to address gaps not covered by existing programs.
In addition to this assistance, existing federal-provincial Business Risk Management programs, specifically Crop Insurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest, will help farmers manage the impact of this natural disaster as the first lines of defence to address income shortfalls.
Work is underway with the Government of Quebec regarding the spring 2011 flooding situation in the Richelieu area. It is expected that this work will be finalized shortly.
[This assistance is contingent on Governments finalizing program authorities.]
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For more information, contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 866-345-7972
Meagan Murdoch
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Ottawa
Phone: 613-773-7972
Joelle Saltel-Allard
Province of Manitoba
Winnipeg
Phone: 204-945-1494
Jenna Webb
Saskatchewan Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.webb@gov.sk.ca
Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development
Media Line
Phone: 780-422-1005