Two months after Ministers Bibeau and Popham toured the flood-stricken area surrounding Abbotsford, British Columbia, the details of a history-making AgriRecovery program is public. Together they announced $228 million in four categories:  clean-up and restoration of land, water and waste systems; repair of uninsurable essential farm infrastructure; animal welfare; loss of perennial plants not raised for resale. 

“To see the devastating impacts of the floods and landslides in-person truly demonstrates how fragile the environment is, but also how resilient and courageous communities and people can be when faced with adversity,” said Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau on December 10, 2021 after her tour.  On February 7, 2022, she reiterated: “Farmers are on the front lines of climate change.” 

Lana Popham, BC’s minister of agriculture, food and fisheries, announced in the news conference that 15,000 hectares of land were impacted by floods and landslides and that 7,500 tons of field vegetables and berries had been lost.

“Damage to fields is starting to be reassessed now that water has receded,” says Jason Smith, chair, BC Blueberries. “However the industry won’t know the full impact of the event for at least a season or two given some of the effects might be more apparent over time.”   

Applicants to the program will be required to fill out eligibility forms as well as detailed records of commodity lost, number of acres and evidence through maps or photos.  Beekeepers will also be able to make claims.

The BC government is disbursing recovery funding in two categories:  Farms with less than $2 million in annual revenue will be eligible to receive up to 90 per cent compensation. Larger farmers with more than $2 million will be eligible to receive up to 70% compensation.

The deadline to apply is June 1, 2022.  One-on-one assistance is available in both English and Punjabi. Applicants should link here: www.gov.bc.ca/agrifloodrecovery

 Source:  British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries February 7, 2022 news release and news conference.