Minister’s Statement on Drought

NOTE: The following is a statement from Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture.

The province is experiencing some of the worst drought conditions in decades, creating difficult times on our farms. I am hearing first-hand from my farm visits across the province and associations that the pressures are tremendous, both financially and emotionally. My team has also been connecting with commodity groups, Perennia and the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture to ensure we understand the impacts of increased costs and lost production.

The lack of rain means that this problem is not getting better, and while it may be some time before we understand the full scope of the impacts, I am directing my team at the Department of Agriculture to:

• collaborate with the federation, Perennia, the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission and the Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board to organize outreach sessions across the province to ensure farmers have access to the right people to ask questions about existing support programs and to better understand the on-the-ground impacts and needs
• reach out to our federal government partners to identify options for immediate assistance through existing business risk management programs, as well as what other supports can be made available.

Farmers are the backbone of communities across the province. They create jobs, support families and grow the food we need to grow and thrive. I want to assure you that this is the beginning of our work.

In response to the increased frequency of extreme weather, my Department has been working to provide supports for farmers, including programs encouraging the adoption of beneficial management practices for climate change impacts and by promoting and reviewing business risk management programs, like crop insurance and Agri-Stability. We are working with industry and our federal government partners to improve these programs and make them fit the needs of our farmers. It’s our hope that these programs will help our farms be better able to adapt and recover from these types of events in the future, but recognize there is much work to be done to get there.

In the meantime, I urge farmers to reach out to our regional ag reps with immediate concerns by calling 1-800-279-0825.

Drought is an insurable peril under our crop insurance plans. Crop producers should notify the Nova Scotia Crop and Livestock Insurance Commission office or their field agent before making harvest decisions prior to abandoning or destroying crops to ensure the ability to adjust claims. The office can be reached at 902-893-6370 or 1-800-565-6371.

Our farm loan board is also available to discuss financing options. Reach out to your loan officer or contact them at 902-893-6506 or FLBNS@novascotia.ca .

These extreme weather events take a tremendous mental toll on our industry – we want to make sure you take care of yourself by using the supports available through the farm family support line at 1-833-754-3692.

I want to thank the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, the commodity associations and the individual farmers who have been keeping myself and the Department informed on this extraordinary situation over the past months. We are stronger when we work together.

I look forward to continued discussions.