The Alberta government is offering $8 million in BSE aid to livestock producers outside the beef industry.
The deadline to apply for money may be moved ahead of the original March 31 deadline because the United States is expected to reopen its borders to all livestock as of March 7.
“The intent is to carry on with that program,” said program director Lloyd Andruchow of Alberta Agriculture.
The program offers a cash injection to Alberta owners of goats, sheep, deer, elk or bison so producers can maintain their herds or flocks over the next few months, he said.
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Alberta and Saskatchewan have already urged the federal government to announce its level of participation.
The Alberta industry transition program for other ruminants provides a per head payment based on 80 percent of the mature herd or flock.
Under the provincial segment of the program, bison producers receive $80 per head for animals older than 30 months. All cervids must be 24 months of age, making elk producers eligible for $40 while deer and reindeer producers receive $20 per head. Female sheep and goats older than 12 months of age that were owned by the applicant as of Sept. 1, 2004, are eligible for a $16 per head payment.
About $1 million has been set aside for industry initiatives such as development of markets and new products. One major setback for alternative livestock was a lack of processing facilities to sell meat to local customers as well as supply export markets.
