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 …
risk management
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 …
Federal assistance falls short
Business continuity was a high priority for farm leaders when COVID-19 first disrupted access to markets and labour. Working capital, tax deferral programs and reductions in red tape were among the options that Reg Ens, executive director of the BC Agriculture Council, put forward. “Those are the kinds of things we’re thinking of right now …
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 …
Flood mitigation funding available
The province has handed out $52 million for structural flood mitigation projects over the past two years, and the latest portion was awarded to 18 communities this week. “The intent is to support eligible applicants to prevent, eliminate or reduce hazards through structural flood mitigation projects,” a provincial press release announcing the awards explains. Recipients …
Apple growers fight low prices
BC tree fruit growers are seeing extremely poor returns on their first pool advance from BC Tree Fruits Cooperative. Payouts as low as nine and 10 cents a pound for Gala apples were reported by top growers for extra fancy pack-outs. These figures are being called the lowest ever in real terms and are well …