British Columbia cattle producers may have the option to set up Net Stabilization Income
Accounts by February.
The last hold out among the provinces, the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association, plans to ask
members in January if they wish to join the program now that Alberta producers have voted
for the right to join NISA.
“If Alberta is in, then we probably should be in as well,” association manager David Borth
said.
The association board plans to vote on the issue in February. It must also decide if it wants
the program to be retroactive to January 2000 so that producers can register for this tax
year.
“We’re not expecting a huge debate because Alberta has already gone ahead,” Borth said.
Some B.C. cattle producers already have accounts because forage crops are eligible.
Producers in Alberta and B.C. rejected NISA as a subsidy that could incur trade risks.
However, all other cattle-producing provinces include livestock in the program. The only
exception is Quebec, which has a provincial safety net program.
