Some ag sector leaders back proposed Agristability changes

While consensus still needs to be reached by the provinces and territories in Canada, some sector leaders are showing their support for the federal government's proposed improvements to its Business Risk Management Agristability program following a recent national agriculture ministers' conference.

Todd Lewis, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, said it's “very positive that the federal minister of agriculture has tabled concrete proposals” to fund its 60 per cent share of the program, and “we hope that discussions continue to an agreement that will improve the program for Saskatchewan producers.”

Lewis added that “enhanced coverage is not out of line” as farmers' risks are “higher than ever, and our costs have gone up 70 per cent since the program was cut in 2012.”

Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Mary Robinson said while the proposals are not exactly what the CFA was seeking, they are a “very positive step forward for the business environment of Canadian agriculture.”

Rick Bergmann, chair of the Canadian Pork Council, said pork producers welcome Minister Marie-claude Bibeau's leadership “and are calling on provincial ministers to do the right thing and fix Agristability.”

He added that pork producers are calling on the provincial premiers and agriculture ministers to accept Bibeau's proposal to fix Agristability, including increasing the payment rate to 80 per cent.

Canadian Cattlemen's Association president Bob Lowe said the proposed changes would better position the industry to contribute to Canada's economic recovery.

FEDERAL FUNDING ANNOUNCED

On Tuesday, Bibeau announced an investment of $3.7-million for two projects in support of Farm Management Canada during the Agriculture Excellence Conference.

The first project, with an investment of more than $1.8-million through the Agri-competitiveness Program, will help farmers build their business management skills.

Farm Management Canada is also receiving more than $1.8-million through the Agririsk Initiative's Research and Development Stream to provide training and education to producers and industry professionals.