Second Instalment of Transition Funding Delivered

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Second Instalment of Transition Funding Delivered

Nova Scotia farmers will soon receive the second and final instalment of the provincial portion of risk management transition funding for 2003-04, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Chris d'Entremont said today, April 23.

"Producers have faced many challenges this past year," said the minister. "We hope this additional measure, along with our other programs, will help to address the financial pressures Nova Scotia farmers have endured."

The initial funding was originally announced on Oct. 7, 2003 and was intended to help producers with recent income losses impacted by BSE (mad cow disease). The second instalment is the balance of the original $2.5 million of the province's commitment to match federal expenditures for transition to the new Agriculture Policy Framework. Nova Scotia is the only province to participate in the second year of bridge funding initiative.

Program participants will begin to receive a direct payment by cheque by the end of next week. Producers are asked to contact the programs and business risk management division of the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries toll-free at 1- 866-844-4BRM (1-866-844-4276) for more information.