The province is offsetting the cost of special measures farmers took this summer to keep domestic workers safe from the risk of COVID-19. Between 1,500 and 2,000 domestic seasonal workers help with fruit harvest throughout the Okanagan and Creston areas each year. Without domestic workers, BC Fruit Growers Association labour manager Ron Forrest says “there …
COVID
COVID influences food demand
COVID continues to complicate efforts to manage supply of regulated commodities in Canada. “It’s still not easy because there’s a lot of different metrics at play,” Abbotsford producer Ray Nickel told the BC Chicken Growers Association general meeting August 4, delivering the report from the Chicken Farmers of Canada. “We haven’t seen a full opening …
BC fairs await reopening
BC announced its reopening plan this week, setting the stage for a life without limits in the wake of COVID-19. But just how that unfolds for the farm sector and rural communities across the province is unclear. The four-stage plan announced by Premier John Horgan and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on May 25 …
Mexico sticks with BC
Mexico’s decision to withhold seasonal workers from Canada will have a minimal effect on BC farms, according to both the province and industry. The decision was widely reported on June 15, and affects workers arriving in Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program. Mexico quickly issued a clarification that the measure only affects farms where …
Agriculture first for support
Close to three-quarters of BC residents believe agri-food companies should be first in line for government assistance to help them weather the effects of COVID-19, according to a survey market research firm Research Co. conducted in partnership with Glacier Media. “Across the province, the highest level of support for government assistance is observed for agri-food …