News release
CANADA'S NEW GOVERNMENT BOOSTS AID TO FLOOD-DAMAGED FARMS
REGINA, Saskatchewan, November 24, 2006 - The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, today announced more support for farmers whose crop land was damaged by spring flooding in 2005 and 2006.
On May 23, 2006, the government announced a much-needed $50-million Cover Crop Protection Program (CCPP) for farmers with flood-damaged farms. Today's announcement increases this program funding to $90 million, to ensure approximately 20,000 affected farmers will receive support.
"Canada's New Government recognizes the extreme difficulty many farmers are going through to restore their land after two successive years of spring flooding," said Minister Strahl. "That is why we are providing additional funds to the Cover Crop Protection Program so that all those farmers who need this help, will be able to get it."
The CCPP is an initiative designed to provide financial assistance to agricultural producers who were unable to plant commercial crops in 2005 and/or 2006 due to excess field moisture. Under the program, payments of $15 per acre are available to all eligible Canadian farmers, regardless of whether they had Production Insurance coverage for 2005 and 2006.
Program funding was based on estimates of flooded acreage across Canada in 2005 and 2006. Applications received prior to the October 31 deadline greatly exceeded the initial funding available.
Today's announcement of $40 million in federal funding for the CCPP is part of the New Government of Canada's commitment to supporting our agricultural sector.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is working with provincial, territorial and industry partners to develop programs and promote sound farm stewardship practices which contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment for all Canadians and healthier food for consumers. For more information, please call 1-800-667-8567.
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For more information, media may contact:
Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
613-759-7972
1-866-345-7972
Jeff Howard
Press Secretary
Minister Strahl's Office
613-759-1059
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