Receiving crop production insurance could soon be much easier for Ontario farmers.

The Agriculture Insurance Act, alternatively known as Bill 40, proposes an expansion on what products are covered through Ontario’s crop production insurance.

One of the major changes would be the addition of insurance for livestock producers.

“Livestock producers can be at the whim of Mother Nature the same as crop producers can,” said Toby Barrett, Haldimand-Norfolk MPP and Opposition critic for agriculture, food and rural affairs in a press release.

“The challenges facing livestock producers are not just weather-related, but also include predators such as coyotes and disease.”

The Agriculture Insurance Act, an amendment on the Crop Insurance Act of 1996, would give the Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs the ability to designate which products can be included and allow additional crop coverage.

The Bill passed on March 11, as Ontario MPPs voted to send Bill 40 to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs.

In Ontario, farmers are supplied with crop production insurance through Agricorp, a Crown agency owned by the province.

Currently, Agricorp covers production losses for vegetables, fruit and honey, forage, tobacco and plants that are insured.

The Liberals, Conservatives and NDP all supported the second reading, but Barrett wasn’t without some concerns.

He noted that the program supports livestock production insurance through regulation, not legislation. His press statement also said that the government “dragged its heels on implementation of parts, including tax receipts for producers who donate goods to food banks.”

Interim Conservative party leader Jim Wilson was also skeptical of Bill 40.

“I encourage the Minister to be open and listen to all commodity groups who may wish to be included,” Wilson said via press release. “Which group will be included is just one of the many questions left to be answered.”

Of course, any expansion in coverage would also need to be met with an expansion in funding. With legislation yet to be enacted, it’s unclear as to what the expanded funding might look like and how it would impact Ontario farmers.

Bill 40 is expected to bring Ontario in line with other provinces that have the ability to offer crop insurance for agricultural products that include more than just crops and perennial plants.

Source - http://www.norfolknews.ca/