Cull Animal Program accelerates assistance to producers

The Government of Canada introduced the Cull Animal Program in November 2003 to help producers face the challenges created by the closure of borders to live animals.

On February 16, 2004, the Government announced that it was adjusting the program by removing the original requirement that animals be slaughtered before producers received payment. This change allows producers to access funds even sooner, provides equal access to the program across Canada, and helps with feed costs until producers can move their animals to slaughter.

The Government of Canada has committed $120 million to the program for all regions of Canada, and offered to share the cost of the program with the provinces. Each province has responded in its own way, based on respective provincial priorities.

The program covers 8% of beef cows and 16% of dairy cows that a producer owned on September 1, 2003. A comparable program is being offered to producers of other ruminants affected by border closures.

For more information on the Cull Animal Program, producers should contact their provincial delivery agent:

• In British Columbia, call toll-free 1 877 702-5585, or visit the Web site at www.agf.gov.bc.ca./ahc/bse/
• In Alberta, call toll-free 1 866 314-2054, or visit the Web site at www1.agric.gov.ab.ca
• In Saskatchewan, call toll-free 1 866 621-3224, or visit the Web site at www.agr.gov.sk.ca
• In Manitoba, contact the local Manitoba Crop Insurance Agency office, or visit the Web site at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture
• In Ontario, visit the Web site at www.omaf.gov.on.ca
• In Quebec, call toll-free 1 800 749-3646, or visit the Web site of La Financière agricole at www.financiereagricole.qc.ca
• In New Brunswick, contact the local New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Aquaculture Regional Office, or visit the Web site at www.gnb.ca/0027/Index-e.asp
• In Nova Scotia, call (902) 893-6510 or toll-free 1 866 844-4276, or visit the Web site at www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/prm/programs/nsrca.htm
• In Prince Edward Island, call (902) 368-5609 or toll-free 1 866 734-3276 (ext. 5609), or visit the Web site at www.gov.pe.ca/af/agweb
• In Newfoundland and Labrador, call (709) 637-2572, or visit the Web site at www.gov.nf.ca/agric