(file photo/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

$2.6 billion request for food security

Apr 30, 2020 | 4:02 PM

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has asked the federal government to establish a $2.6 billion emergency fund to help maintain food security in Canada in response to COVID-19.

The amount is based on estimates provided by agricultural commodity groups.

CFA President Mary Robinson said the emergency fund is required because of the shutdown of the food service sector, processing plant closures, supply chain disruptions and increases in labour and associated costs.

Robinson said the money is for impacts not eligible under any of the government programs announced to date and also are not covered by existing Business Risk Management programs offered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

“Imagine if six months ago someone had told Canada to stock up on face masks, ventilators and personal protective equipment. Our nation would be in a much stronger position to weather this storm,” Robinson said in a news release. “A month ago, we offered government a similar warning for a different looming problem, the potential collapse of components of our food supply chain.”

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Robinson said the emergency fund should only be the first phase and it is likely more support will be required in the coming year as unforeseen challenges continue to emerge throughout the food supply chain.

“We understand that the entire country is under duress. Agriculture is a unique player in our economy. Not only does agriculture create value for our economy, act as stewards of our environment and employ over two million Canadians, agriculture also provides us the unique benefit of food not only for Canada but for the world,” she said.

Robinson said farmers need to have the financial confidence that they will not be facing bankruptcy due to impacts of COVID-19.

“Like the rest of the country, we’ve been watching government announce new assistance for many other sectors almost daily since the pandemic began, and farmers are appalled as they watch an essential service and critical infrastructure such as food production and processing being largely ignored,” she said.

CFA has created a letter-writing campaign website to email your MP and give a concentrated, unified message on the importance of food security in Canada.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF