Financial support coming for farmers, ranchers impacted by fires and record heat

Aug 10, 2021 | 2:30 PM

The governments of British Columbia and Canada are working together to support B.C. farmers and ranchers who have suffered losses through wildfires, record heat, and the prolonged drought this summer.

The financial support is being delivered through several programs to sustain the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers, family farms, and others who contribute to the province’s food security.

“The B.C. government has a dedicated team working closely with ranchers and farmers to respond to emergencies like wildfires and to create programs that help preserve their businesses and our local food supply,” said Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

“The losses B.C. farmers and ranchers have experienced this year have been heartbreaking, and recovering from them will take time, commitment and support, for which the B.C. government will be there for the whole way.”

The governments are working together to create a federal-provincial ArigRecovery response to help producers facing increased recovery expenses due to the drought and wildfires.

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“We are working closely with the province to get B.C. farm families the support they need as soon as possible,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

“By unlocking more AgriStability funds through interim payments and invoking late participation, we can get more cash in hand for farmers who are making tough decisions in a difficult situation. We will continue to support farm families to get them through the challenges we face today, and position them for a sustainable future, since we know climate change will continue to pose challenges,” Bibeau added.

The B.C. government is also allowing ranchers and farmers to access immediate support by implementing ‘late participation’ in the federal-provincial AgriStability program for 2021. This program provides funding to those who have seen income declines due to crop or livestock losses or market conditions. Farmers and ranchers not already enrolled in the program for 2021 have until December 31, 2022 to sign up for the support under the ‘late participation’ model.

The maximum interim payment for the AgriStability 2021 program is being increased from 50 per cent to 75 per cent of the estimated final payment allowing farmers to continue their operations this year.

Those who have lost feed supply and require emergency support as a result of the wildfires may also be eligible to receive hay through the province’s 2021 Wildfire Emergency Feed Program. This program will provide feed support for up to 14 days for commercial livestock businesses unable to access their normal feed supply, or if their current forage has been burned or is unsafe.

Producers that require emergency assistance or information, including assistance with livestock relocation, emergency feed, permission for re-entry into evacuation-order zones, or other emergency issues related to wildfires are advised to contact their local authority or First Nation, as they are responsible for emergency management decisions within their jurisdictions.

To enroll in the AgriStability program, farmers and ranchers can visit the Government of B.C.’s website here. Details about the 2021 Wildfire Emergency Feed program can be found here, while more information and resources for farmers and livestock producers can be found here.

by Liam Verster

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