Memo from federal agriculture minister Lyle Vanclief to Canadian farmers: the cheque is, or soon will be, in the mail. Really.
The federal government started sending cheques of between $3,000 and $6,000 to farmers Nov. 28. Most of the cheques should be in farm mailboxes by the third week in December.
“They’ll be there before Christmas,” said Ellen Funk, Agriculture Canada’s manager of business risk management programs communications and consultations.
The money is the second instalment in Ottawa’s two-year, $1.2 billion transition fund.
The first batch of cheques is being sent to 160,000 farmers with Net Income Stabilization Accounts. Payouts are based on 3.5 percent of a producer’s average eligible net sales over the past five years and Funk said they would range between $3,000 and $6,000.
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Farmers who are not in NISA will be eligible for payment, but must apply by Dec. 31, 2003. The government figures $450 million will go to NISA farmers and $150 million to the rest.
Only farmers totally dependent on supply management will not be eligible for a share of the payment.
In a statement issued in Ottawa before boarding a plane for a trip to Rome and India, Vanclief said the money is meant to help farmers during the transition from existing programs to the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program. He said it also is recognition that many farmers have had a tough year.
“Farmers faced a number of challenges in 2003 ranging from bovine spongiform encephalopathy and weather to grasshoppers and low prices,” said the minister. “This funding will help address those challenges and will also assist producers in making the transition to new agricultural policy framework programs.”
If there is money left after the first payout, a second instalment will be sent in early 2004.
Farmers without NISA accounts can apply by calling 866-367-8506.
