Ottawa ready to receive formal submissions for AgriRecovery

The federal government is ready to receive formal submissions for AgriRecovery, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Marie-Claude Bibeau tweeted, following a Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture meeting, Thursday.

Minister Bibeau shared that the federal government is ready to help, asked provinces to invoke the late participation provision of AgriStability, and urged the prairies to match the federal offer to raise the AgriStability compensation rate to 80 percent.

Collaborative and constructive meeting today with my provincial and territorial colleagues on the pressing issues facing the #CdnAg sector. pic.twitter.com/SwRfOUtJ7d

— Marie-Claude Bibeau (@mclaudebibeau) July 15, 2021

With a looming federal election, Alberta received verbal commitment from Ottawa that a joint AgriRecovery program will be initiated to support prairie producers affected by drought, prior to the election. #ableg #AbAg pic.twitter.com/z1IjHUWafv

— Devin Dreeshen (@DevinDVote) July 15, 2021

Thursday, July 15

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and Provincial Cattle Associations sent a release in support of the FTP Ministers’ meeting, and called for prompt action, including the following recommended measures:

• Expedite approvals for insured crops to be designated for livestock feed or grazing purposes. Provide preferential treatment or incentives to allow crops to be grazed or converted to feed without penalty.
• Dedicate additional resources to support quality water access and infrastructure.
• Initiate drought relief programming under AgriRecovery to assist with extraordinary costs related to feed and water shortages and impacts of wildfires to maintain the national cattle herd.
• Immediately implement the Livestock Tax Deferral provision for Ontario, the entire prairie provinces and B.C. Extend eligibility to include all classes of cattle.
• Declare B.C. wildfires eligible for the Disaster Financial Assistance program.

CCA and provincial associations support Ministers’ meeting and call for action on relief measures

“We appreciate the Minister’s acknowledgment of the urgency of the drought situation,” said producer, veterinarian, and ABP Chair Melanie Wowk. “Our top priority is attempting to maintain the mother cow herd by converting failed crops to suitable feed while that opportunity still exists.”

“Without timely and targeted assistance from federal and provincial governments, beef producers will be forced to make difficult management decisions including culling of their herds,” said Bob Lowe, producer, and President of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “It is of critical importance that Canada’s beef cow herd be maintained throughout this disaster event.”

In the News | Spreading awareness of drought on the prairies

Alberta’s major crop commissions who are members of Team Alberta announced they “fully support the Government of Alberta in pursuing options to deal with 2021 crop conditions due to the drought, including the potential to trigger the AgriRecovery program.”

Wednesday, July 14

“Alberta’s government recognizes the devastating impacts that extreme dry conditions have on farmers and ranchers throughout the province,” said Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Devin Dreeshen, in a statement Wednesday. “I have advised AFSC crop adjustors to complete early assessments on pastureland and standing crops to address forecasted feed shortages and promote flexibility. Our government will continue to work with them to support Alberta’s producers.”