Canada - P.E.I. oyster farmers push for crop insurance program

30.11.2018 184 views
P.E.I. oyster growers say this fall's early freeze highlights the need for a government insurance program for their industry. Like many land farmers, growers are concerned the unseasonably cold weather and ice-filled bays and rivers could ultimately kill some of their crop. The P.E.I. government has already paid out $11 million in claims this year through its crop insurance program, P.E.I.'s Agriculture Minister Robert Henderson says  — but that insurance isn't available to the farmed shellfish industry.
You've got two or three years invested in a crop, so the opportunity for a loss is higher.— Shawn Cooke
"As an association, we've asked government before if they'd be interested in including us in a program like crop insurance ... thinking the oyster industry is a lot like the farming industry. But we've never had any success," said Shawn Cooke, president of the Island Oyster Growers Group.
'The margins are very small in the shellfish sector, and that's why it's really critical for that support to be there,' says Tim Kennedy with the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance. (Robbie Moore)
Cooke maintains private insurance premiums would be too costly for most Island oyster growers. He said without access to a government program, growers are vulnerable to major financial losses, which may be the reality for some this year. "As the farms grow and more fellas are getting into it, everyone's got more invested into it," said Cooke. "And it's very intensive, because you've got two or three years invested in a crop, so the opportunity for a loss is higher ... There's definitely risks."

Growers not considered farmers

The cost of crop insurance programs is shared between both levels of government and farmers.The program allows for much lower premiums than farmers would pay through a private plan.
After struggling to get all their potatoes out of the ground this fall, it's expected many Island potato farmers will be making crop insurance claims. (Submitted by Bryan Maynard)
While provinces administer the programs, it's ultimately Agriculture Canada that sets the rules. The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) says the problem for oyster growers and other seafood farmers is that they're not considered farmers by Agriculture Canada. "Because of that, we've always fallen under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and that has limited our access," said Tim Kennedy, CAIA's executive director. "We think the time is very ripe that we are taken under the umbrella of Agriculture Canada for growth purposes, and that includes access to the risk programs and support programs long enjoyed by [land] farmers."

'Critical for that support to be there'

Kennedy said for years, his alliance has been lobbying the federal government to make that change.
Oyster growers don't normally have to contend with ice like this in November. (Submitted by Nick Coughlin)
He said the challenges facing P.E.I. oyster growers this fall point to the urgent need for insurance. "That support is needed for the farmers and the communities," said Kennedy. "This is a significant risk. The margins are very small in the shellfish sector, and that's why it's really critical for that support to be there. It shouldn't be this difficult." In a statement emailed to CBC News, DFO media relations' Carole Saindon says the need for government-funded insurance for aquaculture producers has been explored, and "preliminary reviews have found that there are a few key risks potentially affecting aquaculture producers, such as disease outbreaks and climate induced impacts. These risks are both sporadic and highly variable across the country." The federal government "will continue to engage with the aquaculture industry on this request," she added. Source - https://www.cbc.ca
28.03.2024

Canada - How Sask.'s new budget does and doesn't address climate change

The world is facing record heat from human-caused climate change brought on by carbon dioxide and methane emissions, but the words "climate change" don't appear once in Saskatchewan's newly released 75-page 2024-25 budget.

28.03.2024

Kenya - How crop insurance is transforming agriculture

Kenyan farmers continue to face challenges due to unpredictable weather conditions. As a result, they are turning to insurance coverage for their crops and livestock. Insurance experts have reported that most farmers who are insuring their crops are smallholders who rely on rain-fed agriculture and use low-technology farming methods.

28.03.2024

USA - How spring temperature fluctuations, early blooms are impacting Centre County fruit farmers

Plenty of people in Centre County got outside to enjoy temperatures in the 60s and 70s earlier this month, but spring weather fluctuations continue to cause concern for local fruit farmers.

28.03.2024

USA - Farmers use helicopters to warm crops amid spring freezes

An early spring this year means more work for farmers as early blooms face freezing temperatures. Les Dozier's Sta-N-Step Farms has served Northwest Arkansas since 1989. His farm is one of many facing freezing temperatures that could ruin crops.

28.03.2024

Ireland - Potato will be scarce by June, farmers praying for rain to stop

Farmers have to "watch, hope and pray" for a "sweet spot" of dry weather in the coming weeks or many will have to debate whether to plant at all this year. As continuous rainfall adds to already saturated ground, many big and small potato farmers are warning that the Irish favourite variety of Rooster may be in scarce supply by June.

28.03.2024

USA - Several metro Atlanta counties declared natural disaster zones after severe drought

More than 30 Georgia counties — including 10 in metro Atlanta — have been designated “primary natural disaster areas” by the United States Department of Agriculture, the agency announced Thursday.

27.03.2024

Turkey - Climate change may affect grape cultivation

A recent study has highlighted the impact of the climate crisis on viticulture in Turkey, predicting that the expected rise in temperatures and reduced rainfall could shift the suitability of vineyard regions for grape production over the next three decades.

27.03.2024

Crop crisis reveals El Niño’s toll on Southern Africa

New findings from the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (Enso) reference group highlight the significant impact of the 2023/24 El Niño event on various aspects of climate and agriculture in Southern Africa.

istanbul escort şişli escort tbilisi escort şişli escort şişli escort maslak escort istanbul escort beşiktaş escort taksim escort izmir escort ümraniye escort mecidiyeköy escort şişli escort taksim escort ümraniye escort kartal escort şirinevler escort maltepe escort istanbul escort ümraniye escort kadıköy escort vip escort mersin escort istanbul escorts ataköy escort avcılar escort beylikdüzü escort okmeydanı escort şişli escort tuzla escort işitme cihazı sex shop sex shop sex shop sex shop sex shop sex shop sex shop sex shop