Government of BC
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$228M flood recovery fund will help BC Farms return to production.
BC farmers will receive $228 million in provincial and federal aid to help their farms recover from the devastating flooding in November last year.
The province’s agriculture minister Lana Popham announced the aid package on Feb. 7, saying it will help farmers recover from an estimated $285 million in damages.
“There are some very desperate situations right now, farmers need cash now, and so we’re going to be able to give interim payments quickly and get that cash into their pocket,” Popham said.
Much of that damage was suffered by dairy and poultry farmers in the Sumas Prairie region, but blueberry farmers also suffered catastrophic losses that will have enduring impacts.
Jason Smith, a blueberry farmer and chair of the BC Blueberry Council, said the funding may cover most of the initial losses, but may not cover the years of losses from destruction of established berry bushes.
“The devil is in the details,” Smith said. ““I don’t know what level of coverage it is going to provide – does that include the 10 years of lost income?”
BC farmers who suffered extraordinary damages during November’s devastating floods will have access to up to $228 million in federal-provincial government support to help their farms return to production.
The funding will also support British Columbia’s food security and agricultural communities in the years ahead.
Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Lana Popham, B.C.’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, have announced the Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program, which will be delivered by the Government of British Columbia and will leverage the federal government’s AgriRecovery Framework and Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).
“The B.C. agricultural community has pulled together and demonstrated its strength and determination in the face of devastating floods,” said Bibeau.
“There is still a long way to go, but the Government of Canada will continue to work with the Government of British Columbia to support our farmers. We are here to help them rebuild so they can quickly get back to doing what they do best: producing high-quality food for Canadians.”
“Our government will continue to be there for families, farmers and communities in British Columbia as they recover from the devastating floods and extreme weather events that hit the province last November,” said Bill Blair, president of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness.
“We know that building back in the aftermath of a disaster is a long and difficult road, which is why we’re here to support all of those who need help – every step of the way. Together, we will get through this.”
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