Province Continues to Support Local Beef Producers

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Province Continues to Support Local Beef Producers

More than 400 Nova Scotia beef producers affected by the market impact of mad cow disease have benefited from the producer assistance program announced in late November by the provincial government.

Since the program was announced, the province has delivered more than $1. 7 million in funding to help producers who have had to deal with the impact of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease).

"Producer response to this program is going very well," said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Chris d'Entremont. "We have approved more than 400 applications and are still processing others. The intent is to have a quick turnaround and get money to producers as quickly as possible."

Under the Nova Scotia Beef Producer Assistance program, the province committed to provide producers with $100 per breeding cow. To be eligible, producers have to complete an application for advance funding from the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) Program.

The deadline to register for the provincial program is March 1.

In addition to the $1.7 million already delivered under the provincial program, Nova Scotia farmers have received $850,000 in funding from the CAIS program. More applications will be processed and additional funds are expected to reach farmers early this year.

"Nova Scotia farmers and their families should be assured that we will stand with them in these difficult times," said the minister.

To learn more about the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program, a series of information sessions will be held from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on:
-- Monday, Jan. 19 in Baddeck at the Alexander Graham Bell Museum; -- Tuesday, Jan. 20 in Antigonish at the Claymore Inn; -- Wednesday, Jan. 21 in Amherst at the Wandlyn Inn; -- Thursday, Jan. 22 in Truro at the Best Western Glengarry; -- Monday, Jan. 26 in Wolfville at the Old Orchard Inn; -- Tuesday, Jan. 27 in Digby at the Recreation Centre; -- Wednesday, Jan. 28 in Yarmouth at the Rodd Grand Hotel; -- Thursday, Jan. 29 in Bridgewater at the Wandlyn Inn.

The CAIS program helps producers protect their farm income from both small and large income declines. CAIS program payments include contributions by producers, provincial and federal governments. For more information call toll-free 1-866-844-4276 or see the website at: www.gov.ns.ca/nsaf/prm.