By Alice McFarlane

Ag ministers urged to accept federal Agristability proposal

Jan 19, 2021 | 3:43 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Agriculture ministers are being urged to support the proposed changes to the AgriStability program.

A joint statement from the co-chairs of the recent agriculture ministers meeting stated in order for changes to be made a large majority of provinces and territories need to support the changes.

The proposal includes the removal of the reference margin limit as well as an increase of the AgriStability compensation rate from 70 per cent to 80 per cent. Taken together this would result in a 50 per cent increase, around $170 million per year in direct support to farmers.

Since the federal government has confirmed its 60 per cent contribution, it is up to the undeclared provinces and territories to come forward with the 40 per cent share.

The statement also stressed the changes need to be made soon to ensure the enhanced supports can be applied retroactively to 2020, something farmers have been asking for.

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A specific deadline was not made but sources have said the federal minister wants a decision by the end of the month.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food minister Marie-Claude Bibeau and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman co-chaired the recent Federal-Provincial-Territorial agriculture ministerial meetings.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF