(Lethbridge News Now)

By Josh Hall and David Opinko

agrirecovery

Ag Minister pushing for emergency funding as farmers deal with extreme heat & droughts

Jul 15, 2021 | 3:17 PM

Alberta’s Minister of Agriculture is pushing Ottawa for help.

Devin Dreeshen spoke with officials at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada this week, asking them to activate the AgriRecovery program.

It would help producers to recover extraordinary costs after a natural disaster beyond what is available through other financial assistance programs.

Dreeshen believes the extreme heat and drought conditions plaguing farms across the province should qualify as a natural disaster.

“Alberta’s government recognizes the devastating impacts that extreme dry conditions have on farmers and ranchers throughout the province,” said Dreeshen, the MLA for Innisfail-Sylvan Lake. “During the virtual Federal-Provincial-Territorial meeting (on Thursday), I will urge the federal government to recognize the hardships faced by Alberta’s producers and ask that they implement an AgriRecovery initiative as soon as possible.”

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Dreeshen adds he has advised AFSC crop adjustors to complete early assessments on pastureland and standing crops to address forecasted feed shortages and promote flexibility.

According to the latest Alberta Crop Report (June 28), crop conditions in the central region were best in the province, but well below norms elsewhere.

Still, just 58.2 per cent of crops were rated “good” or “excellent”, compared to the five-year average of 70.9 per cent and the 10-year average of 71.2 per cent.

For drought conditions to qualify under AgriRecovery as a disaster, it must be proven to be a collective experience across a defined area as well as have the potential for significant impacts on the sector.

During Alberta’s severe drought of 2002, the program paid out over $800 million.

A group of major crop commissions in the province say they fully support Dreeshen’s push for emergency funding.

“Team Alberta recognizes that this weather event is impacting multiple areas of the province and all crops. Team Alberta colleagues, Alberta Sugar Beet Growers and Potato Growers of Alberta, also support the Minister in his message at the FPT meetings,” reads a statement from the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commissions.

Continuation of dialogue between Team Alberta members, the Minister and AFSC will be taking place over the summer while monitoring the impacts of this significant weather event.

They also want the minister to try having adjusters at the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) activated, which would support the evaluation of heat and drought conditions.

(with file from Lethbridge News Now)