The province has asked Ottawa to support an AgriRecovery program for the province’s beef sector, days after representatives of the province’s grape and wine sector asked agriculture minister Pam Alexis for similar support in response to last December’s devastating freeze event that killed a third of their vineyards. “I have spoken with federal minister [Marie-Claude] …
AgriStability
Rodenticides banned
The province has ratified a ban on the use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides. The ban follows an 18-month pilot program that began in July 2021, during which the province consulted broadly with both public and technical experts. The permanent ban, implemented under a revised Integrated Pest Management Regulation, takes effect on Jan. 21, 2023. It …
Province pledges emergency funding
BC has announced emergency funding to support farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires, heat and drought this year. While the exact amount is undetermined and several details have yet to be worked out, the province has taken the immediate action of invoking the late participation provision of the AgriStability program. The original deadline was June …
Cherries face the pits
BC cherry growers face a second straight year of record losses thanks to severe cold in January and a late spring frost. The two cold weather events have resulted in the 2020 harvest on track to be down more than 40% from normal levels. BC’s Production Insurance program has received 296 claims for yield loss out …
Going solo
ABBOTSFORD – The province has stepped in to backstop farmers facing hard times thanks to a growing number of weather-related and market challenges. During comments at the BC Agriculture Council’s annual gala in Abbotsford on January 29, BC agriculture minister Lana Popham announced changes to the province’s AgriStability program that she said would make $9 …