More Flexibility Given to Existing Programs

Nova Scotia hog producers will receive immediate payments under the federal-provincial Targeted Advance Payment program to help ease economic conditions affecting the industry.

Agriculture Minister Brooke Taylor has implemented the payments so advances can be made to producers. This allows the province to respond quickly to industry issues and provide timely funding.

"Our hog industry is facing financial difficulties and we are ensuring that the sector has access to support when it's needed," said Mr. Taylor. "We are providing producers with funding from current programs, but in a more responsive manner for the short term."

Eligible hog producers will be contacted soon and provided with information on the advance amount they may be eligible for. Any producers not currently in the stabilization program can apply for an interim payment to be eligible for financial assistance for the 2007 program year.

Two new business risk management programs are being introduced to replace the Canada-Nova Scotia Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program. AgriInvest will replace the coverage currently available for small margin declines and AgriStability will replace the coverage for larger margin declines.