Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and the Honourable Rosann Wowchuk, Minister of Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives, have announced that Manitoba farmers in flood-affected areas will now have until June 30, 2009, to meet the 2009 AgriStability program enrollment requirements.
“Farmers in flood-affected areas of Manitoba have been fighting to protect their homes, livestock, and farm equipment from floodwaters,” said Minister Ritz. “We understand the challenges that farmers are facing and we are making sure they have sufficient time to participate in AgriStability.”
“This spring has been a challenging time for producers affected by flooded crop lands and pastures,” said Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk. “It is important that the AgriStability program be flexible to ensure support and financial assistance is available to Manitoba producers when they need it most.”
AgriStability helps farmers protect their farm income from deep declines, and is one of three programs in the suite of Growing Forward business risk management (BRM) programs.
Farmers in flood-affected areas have until June 30, 2009, to:
• pay their fee for the 2009 program year without penalty; and,
• request a New Participant Package if they have not previously participated in AgriStability.
For more information or to request an AgriStability New Participant Package, farmers should call Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada toll free at 1-866-367-8506.
