(file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Agriculture challenges

Farm group calls on Ottawa to help save food sector

Apr 16, 2020 | 1:29 PM

The federal government is being called upon to create an emergency fund, to help assist farmers and agriculture-related businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canadian Federation of Agriculture President Mary Robinson hosted a virtual press conference Thursday morning, and discussed the challenges being faced in recent weeks by the food sector. Those challenges include labour shortages, an unpredictable market, and increased feed costs for livestock.

“Canadian farmers are feeling increasingly stressed. In fact right now some farmers are so worried about the mounting challenges, they are strongly considering halting their farming operations all together,” she said.

Robinson added farmers are also dealing with significantly increased costs associated with purchasing the necessary PPE equipment (masks, gloves) for their workers.

The federal government has exempted migrant workers from COVID-19 cross-border travel restrictions because of their importance to the Canadian economy, but Robinson feels more can be done, and is encouraging those same workers to look for jobs in the agriculture sector.

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“We can, providing that we work together, ensure our food system is secure and our grocery stores continue to be well stocked with healthy and affordable food, raised by Canadian farmers,” Robinson said.

With the 2020 planting season just around the corner, Robinson said farmers need to hear a clear commitment soon from the government to instill necessary confidence.

Tim Oleksyn farms west of Prince Albert, and told paNOW he is still isn’t sure where he stands, adding the status appears to evolve and change every day.

“The reaction to where we are is markets and that’s the issue for us and the balance of getting prepared for seeding and calving and the realization of veterinarians,” he said.

Oleksyn said the situation with COVID-19 is similar to what happened during the BSE crisis, which resulted in the closure of foreign markets to Canadian beef. Oleksyn explained it forced everyone across the country to look at the food supply, but at the same time forced farmers to think long term, and make adjustments to their management practices.

The news isn’t all bad and Oleksyn explained a recent drop in fuel costs have created some different opportunities for storage.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell