FREDERICTON (GNB) – New Brunswick potato producers who incurred extraordinary costs due to excess moisture conditions in 2011 will receive financial assistance from the federal and provincial governments to help recover from the disaster.

“This initiative will provide targeted assistance to all eligible New Brunswick potato producers ,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Michael Olscamp. “These funds will be quickly distributed in time to assist with their 2012 spring seeding costs.”

The initiative is administered by the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries with application forms, terms and conditions available at regional offices and online starting on Friday, April 13.

“New Brunswick producers worked hard to minimize their potato crop losses during last year's wet and cold growing season,” said Tobique-Mactaquac MP Mike Allen on behalf of the federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Our government is pleased to have worked closely with the province to develop a targeted response that helps affected producers recover.”

The Canada - New Brunswick Excess Moisture Initiative will provide a $182-per-acre payment to affected potato producers. To be eligible, producers must demonstrate that they incurred significant additional spraying costs and other extraordinary costs resulting from this disaster.

A federal/provincial AgriRecovery assessment was conducted on the extreme weather conditions producers experienced throughout the 2011 crop year. The assessment concluded that targeted assistance was warranted for potato producers who incurred extraordinary expenses while combatting production-limiting disease. Despite their significant efforts, many potato producers still incurred above-average yield loss.

In addition to this assistance, existing federal-provincial Business Risk Management programs, specifically AgriInsurance, AgriStability and AgriInvest, are providing significant support to help participating producers deal with the impact of excess moisture in 2011.

LINK:

●    Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries: www.gnb.ca/agriculture


12-04-12