The PC urges the province to help farmers affected by drought

While several rural municipalities in the region of Entres-les-Lacs have declared the state of agricultural emergency, the Progressive-Conservative Party (PC) of Manitoba urges the province to act.

It has been several weeks since the rural municipalities of Saint-Laurent, Coldwell and Woodlands declared the state of agricultural emergency because of the drought conditions which strike the region of Entre-les-Lacs.

In a written declaration, the PC asked the neo-democratic government to support agricultural producers affected by drought.

The Kinew government must act now. Collaborate with the Manitoba Agricultural Services Company, offer animal feeding assistance and transport support, and help our producers compensate for the outbreak of supply costs in animal food from other regions. THE NPD already has these tools, he only has to use themsaid the deputy chief of the PC and spokesperson for agriculture, Jeff Bereza.

The Minister of Agriculture of Manitoba, Ron Kostyshyn, recognizes How difficult this season has been for producers faced with prolonged dry conditions and low precipitation.

This is why we work with the federal government to help farmers by immediate and practical changes in the Agri-Protection programhe said in writing to Radio-Canada.

Agri-Protection is a program funded by the province, the federal and producers who aims to reduce the financial losses of farmers caused by natural disasters.

Mr. Kostyshyn explains that this program will, among other things, The reduction of yield assessments for crops affected by drought, the postponement of deductions from bonuses for fodder insurance, the supply of partial payments on complaints for fodder and the possibility of more flexibility for grazing.

He specifies that These measures will help quickly put more money in the hands of producers, so that they can make the best decisions for their operations during a difficult year.

Three agricultural emergency states declared

To date, three rural municipalities in the Entres-les-Lacs region, located a hundred kilometers north of Winnipeg, have declared the state of agricultural emergency: that of Saint-Laurent, Woodlands and Coldwell.

Richard Chartrand, the prefect of Saint-Laurent, worries the repercussions of this prolonged drought.

If this drought continues, it will have repercussions on the cost of animal food, transport costs, reduction of crops and cattle, which will have repercussions on the prices that all Manitobans will see in grocery storeshe said by email to Radio-Canada.

In a press release dated July 8, the Rural Municipality of Woodlands also indicates knowing extreme drought conditions with precipitation less than 40 % of normal Since last March.

These prolonged drought conditions have had serious repercussions on local farms, including the production of cereals, hay, straw and livestock. […] Producers of the municipality face significant economic difficulties due to the decline in crop yields, the decrease in supplies in fodder and the increase in costs related to livestock farmingshe adds.

The three rural municipalities in one voice, the provincial and federal governments to provide, among other things, financial support, animal feeding assistance and water supply initiatives, in particular for affected agricultural producers.

Mr. Chartrand expects other municipalities in the region to follow suit.