Ottawa isn’t in a rush to disclose details on various programs designed to support the agriculture sector as it responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal finance department’s latest bi-weekly report on emergency response measures indicates that $453 million in direct support to the farm sector will be available “shortly.” This includes $77.5 million for …
covid-19
Province boosts online grants
Overwhelming demand for provincial funding to support online sales activities has led the province to add $250,000 to e-commerce grants provided as part of the Buy BC program. The program reached capacity in just two business days after applications began being accepted on May 15. Applications continued to pour in, however, as the original deadline …
BC turkey farmers chip in
BC turkey growers are among the first in Canada to chip in as part of a national initiative by the sector to give back. Three organizations are each receiving $10,000 from members of the BC Turkey Marketing Board and the BC Turkey Association to help them fight hunger. These include the Union Gospel Mission, Potluck …
“Big number” tough to get
Ottawa’s support for agriculture during the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn mixed reviews. Many critics say it falls well short of the $2.6 billion the Canadian Federation of Agriculture and its members, including the BC Agriculture Council, have asked for. Others point out that programs such as the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which offers up …
Cattle industry seeks cash
There was some hope for the BC cattle industry in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement on May 5 of $252 million to support agriculture and food processing. Almost half the funds, $125 million, are earmarked for AgriRecovery initiatives to support producers facing additional costs as a result of COVID-19. The funds include $50 million for …
Worker health in focus
OLIVER – With foreign and domestic workers starting to arrive in the Okanagan for another season, growers are grappling with provincial health guidelines designed to limit the spread of COVID-19. “It’s going to start the first week of May for grapes, doing some shoot-thinning in vineyards,” says Ron Forrest, the BC Fruit Growers Association liaison …