FEDERAL SUPPORT

The Government of Canada recently announced that a number of steps have been taken to increase the support available to farmers, food-related businesses and food processors working through the COVID-19 pandemic. This is what a May 5 news release from the Prime Minister's Office said:

• A new Emergency Processing Fund was launched to help with the acquisition of personal protective training and adjustments that have to be made to adapt to evolving health protocols during the pandemic.

• A national Agrirecovery initiative is in place to assist with the added costs incurred by livestock producers holding on to animals for longer due to Covid-19-related impacts on processing facilities.

• The federal government is proposing a $200-million increase to the Canadian Dairy Commission's borrowing limit in the wake costs linked to a temporary shortage of cheese and butter.

• A new Surplus Food Program fund includes $50-million in funding that will be allocated to efforts that aim to redistribute unsold products to food organizations assisting vulnerable Canadians.

• Work is underway to, in conjunction with individual provinces and territories, boost interim payments available through the Agristability program from 50 per cent to 75 per cent for producers facing drastic dips in revenue.

• Multiple levels of government are looking into the potential to expand the Agriinsurance program “to include labour shortages as an eligible risk for the horticultural sector.”