​​​​​​​​Winnipeg, MB — Canola farmers across Canada are disappointed and concerned that during yesterday's federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) Agriculture Ministers' meeting, Canada's Ag​riculture Ministers decided that more study is what's needed to improve business risk management programs, rather than implementing well-known, tangible steps that will adequately support canola farmers.

"In 2019 we faced a major market closure, the most unpredictable growing season and harvest in memory, and a rail shipping disruption," says Bernie McClean, President of Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). "Every one of these uncontrollable risks is taking a toll on farm profitability and we are gravely concerned that programs like AgriStability won't be there to help farmers​."

For nearly three years, the AgGrowth Coalition has been asking the FPT Ministers to implement the following action items:

1. AgriStability coverage immediately adjusted to cover losses starting at 85 percent of historical reference margins with no Reference Margin Limits;
2. Prioritize discussions on production insurance for livestock and horticulture crops which are not currently covered under AgriInsurance;
3. Discussions on BRM programming options to be meaningful and focused on program effectiveness rather than funding levels; and
4. The establishment of an industry-government technical working group that allows farm groups to actively participate in BRM data and impact... (read more)