Feds Ignore N.S. Farmers: Minister

Agriculture and Marketing Minister Ed Lorraine today expressed disappointment that the federal government continues to ignore the needs of Nova Scotia farmers.

After weeks of discussion, the federal government refuses to make the national Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance program work for farmers who have been hard hit by two seasons of drought, said the minister.

Since the national program was announced in February, the province and the federal government have discussed ways to recognize Nova Scotia-funded programs as credits under the national assistance program.

"I am disappointed the federal government has chosen to ignore the needs of Nova Scotia farmers in order to support those in the West," said Mr. Lorraine. "The premier and my cabinet colleagues have shown an enduring commitment to proactively provide farmers with support based on their needs. It's unfortunate the federal government can't see fit to do the same."

The federal income assistance program will only pay eligible farmers when their gross margin falls below 70 per cent of their three-year average. A prolonged downturn in farm income, such as has occurred for many farms in Nova Scotia, means that a margin-based program has little effect in the province.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, which represents more than 80 per cent of farmers in the province, echoes the government's position that the federal government is letting down Nova Scotia farmers.

"What we are supposed to have is a national program that puts help into the hands of those who need it, regardless of where they live," said Anthony Van Oostrum, federation president. "But the clear message from Ottawa is that they are not willing to work out a solution that addresses the unique circumstances of our industry in Nova Scotia. Commodity prices are low all across the country, but nowhere have you seen crippling weather conditions like those that have hit our farmers for the past two years."

In recent years, the provincial government has introduced initiatives totalling $32 million to deal with low farm incomes. They include: a $20-million five-year Weather-Related Relief Package that included debt-and interest-relief announced in 1998; a $3.2-million Weather-Related Loan Loss Program announced in 1997; $7.7 million to support the pork industry during one of the worst downturns in world hog prices; and a $600,000 Beef Performance Program announced in 1998.

All provinces except Nova Scotia agreed in principle to the national program at February's meeting of agriculture ministers in Victoria. However, support for the national program seems to be eroding. About 1,000 farmers protested at a rally in Regina in early March over concerns the program is inadequate to meet the needs of farmers across Canada.

Agriculture in Nova Scotia contributes $1 billion annually to the economy and supports 16,000 direct and indirect jobs.