Funding for ranches quarantined over bovine TB announced
By Medicine Hat News on November 30, 2016.
Cattle producers whose ranches are quarantined as authorities investigate cases of bovine tuberculosis will be eligible for government funding to help weather the financial strain, it was announced Wednesday. Provincial and federal agriculture ministries released some details of the Agri-recovery program for the owners of 22,000 cattle on about 35 southern Alberta ranchers that are the focus of testing for the disease. About 10,000 animals on about half the ranches have already been ordered to be destroyed — triggering mandated compensation. Industry groups and regional politicians have said, however, that cost of feeding and wintering the remainder puts a huge burden on ranchers who depend on cattle sales at this time of year. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAuley told a Commons committee this week that details would be forthcoming, said in a release Wednesday the funding will help stabilize local operations and apply to feed, transportation and other operational costs, as well as any debt-servicing costs incurred. “Governments will work in tandem with industry and producers to ensure that program details reflect the needs of producers,†he said. Final payments would be determined once all costs for things like feed, watering infrastructure and pens, and related financing costs, are tallied. Right away, though, farmers can access up to $400,000 in an advance payment plan operated by the Alberta Farm Services Corporation. “We know that this is a difficult time for producers,†said Alberta Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier in a statement. “This commitment is an important step in providing our producers with the support they need.†This week Canadian Food Inspection Agency officials announced that while the 10,000 animals have different owners and are now at separate locations, the livestock spent considerable time commingled this summer on grazing leases. They are now considered as make of the index herd and have been ordered to be slaughtered. Those owners now qualify for a separate compensation that from the food safety agency that includes reimbursement for the animals, disposing of feed, if so ordered, as well as disposal costs. About five ranches in question are located in southwest Saskatchewan — a province that would need to form a separate program with Ottawa for its producers. According to the joint release, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is working closely with Ottawa on the issue. 12-11
