Keystone Agricultural Producers president Bill Campbell wants to assure the public the agriculture industry will continue to do its job during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With that being said, there are some legitimate challenges facing the agriculture sector at this time.
That’s why KAP has suggested 4 strategies focusing on what could be done at provincial and federal levels of government to better support farmers and food producers:
- KAP is calling for greater incentives to work in support of Canadian food security during this situation. For example, a measure that would allow workers on Canadian farms and in Canadian food businesses to access the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
- Federal and provincial governments working together to provide a stimulus under the AgriInvest program of no less than 5%. Even further, AgriStability must have a coverage rate of 85% with no reference margin limit in 2020.
- Prioritize Agri-Food for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Testing – acknowledging food supply as a priority requires that the sector be given secondary priority, behind the healthcare sector, for access to PPE and diagnostic testing.
- Driver’s licensing – many producers are unable to move product to market without a Class 1 license. Clarification is required as to whether producers will receive an extension on their license if they are unable to get physical exams to renew their license.
KAP President Bill Campbell explains these four suggested measures would help the long-term safety and sustainability of the food supply chain.
Campbell acknowledges the federal government has taken important action with respect to temporary foreign workers, but is calling for more to be done, as he explains agriculture in this country is much broader-based than just the work that involves temporary foreign workers.
