The federal government is giving western Canadian farmers a four-month reprieve on paying back the 2009 cash advances they received under the Advance Payment Program.Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz announced a stay of default on repayment until Jan. 31, 2011 for producers in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba who received advances though the Canadian Canola Growers Association.”When muddy roads and wet fields limit access to your granaries you can’t sell your crop to repay your cash advance,” Ritz said in a news release.The stay came into effect Oct. 1, a day after the 2009 advances were due. Producers who received advances through the Canadian Canola Growers Association for any of the 25 crops it administers will be eligible for the stay if they are adversely affected by ongoing wet conditions.”We received many calls from farmers who are not able to haul their grain and are desperately trying to avoid going into default on their cash advance,” said association general manager Rick White.Ottawa will continue to pay interest on the interest-free portion of farmers’ outstanding advances until Jan. 31, 2011.
Feds extend cash advance payback deadline
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