Improvements to Crop Insurance Program Announced

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Improvements to Crop Insurance Program Announced

Nova Scotia farmers will be able to get better insurance coverage thanks to changes in the province's crop insurance program, Gordon Balser, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, announced today, April 8.

The improvements will allow growers of eligible crops to insure 85 per cent of their long-term average yield, an increase from 80 per cent.

"Growers requested higher coverage limits and more options under the crop insurance program. We took a look at the program and made the request a possibility," said Mr. Balser.

Crops eligible for 85 per cent coverage in 2003 include blueberries, corn, potatoes, spring grains, strawberries, tree fruits and winter grains. Crop insurance is administered by the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission.

The commission is also lowering its average premium rates for the 2003 crop year by 7.5 per cent from last year. The lower rates were made possible by generally productive and favourable growing conditions in 2002.

Crop insurance is a core national business risk management program. Premium and administration costs are cost-shared with the federal government. Nova Scotia is actively pursuing a new agreement that will see the commission offering coverage for more crops while providing further cost savings to crop producers.

"In surveys conducted last year, crop insurance clients indicated their greatest priority was to have higher coverage and more options. Client response has been positive. Seventy-five per cent of blueberry and winter grain growers have indicated they will buy higher coverage," said Gerald Post, general manager of the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission.

Crop insurance has been available in Nova Scotia since 1969. Thirty-three crops are currently eligible for insurance, including spring grains, winter grains, corn, soybeans, peas, beans, potatoes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, tree fruit, vegetables and forage.

Further information on crop insurance is available by contacting the Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission in Truro at 902-893- 6370.