Winnipeg, MB – Canola farmers see the outcome from yesterday’s federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers’ meeting as a small step in the right direction to improving business risk management programs for Canada’s farmers.
“The decision by the FPT Ministers to remove the reference margin limit within AgriStability, retroactive to 2020, is certainly a step in the right direction, but more is needed to deliver effective risk management programs for canola farmers,” says Mike Ammeter, Chair of Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). “Farmers continue to experience uncontrollable risks that impact farm profitability and more adjustments to AgriStability are needed to make it an effective business risk management tool that works when farmers need it the most.”
The proposal on the table from Minister Bibeau since November 2020 included removing the reference margin limit and increasing the compensation rate from 70 percent to 80 percent, with an openness to consider other options.
CCGA’s original ask was to restore the payment trigger to 85 percent of historical reference margins, coupled with the removal the of reference margin limit.
“It’s disappointing that the Ministers were unable to reach consensus on the trigger and compensation rate,” says Ammeter. “There’s definitely more work required to improve AgriStability for farmers in the long-term and we encourage officials to continue discussions about changes that can be implemented that will help farmers compete in a global food industry and drive economic growth.”
An agreement to extend the enrollment deadline for AgriStability to June 20, 2021, was also reached and will present an opportunity for some farmers to review their participation.
Canadian Canola Growers Association represents canola farmers on national and international issues, policies and programs that impact farm profitability. For more information visit www.ccga.ca or follow CCGA on Twitter @ccga_ca.