Spring Flood Assistance Funding Announced: Menzies urges Albertans to apply

May 25, 2006

Claresholm, Alberta – Canadian farmers affected by losses and damage caused by 2005 and 2006 spring flooding are getting relief through $50 million in funding from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s new Cover Crop Protection Program announced on May 23, 2006 by Chuck Strahl, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board. The funds will help offset restoration costs for an estimated three million acres of affected farmland.

 “It is a short term fix to help farmers immediately, but this money is only the beginning,” said Minister Strahl during this recent announcement for funding. “Farmers need long-term solutions to deal with flooding and this new program is a step in that direction.”

 Budget 2006 provides an increase of $1.5 billion in commitments for the farm sector in the current fiscal year. The initiatives announced in the Budget include investments in future opportunities in the sector through investment in biomass science, support for a bio-fuels strategy, and new opportunities for agriculture through value-added products.

 Farmers may be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $15 per acre for flooded land if they have more than 10 acres of land damaged in 2005-06. All farm operations across Canada affected by spring flooding in the 2005 or 2006 crop year are eligible to apply. The application deadline is August 31, 2006.  For more information, farmers can call 1-800-667-8567.

“This is wonderful news for my constituents and I urge all who are eligible to call and apply,”  said Menzies.  “It will help alleviate some of the financial burden from the loss and damage caused during the recent flood.”

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For further information, please contact:

The office of Ted Menzies at (613) 995-8471