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B.C. takes over local delivery of program

February 2, 2010 By Marg Land

January 29, 2010,
Winfield, BC – The governments of Canada and British Columbia recently
announced the AgriStability program will be delivered provincially by local
experts.

Federal Agriculture
Minister Gerry Ritz and Steve Thomson, B.C. Minister of Agriculture and Lands,
made the announcement in Winfield as part of Canada’s Economic Action Plan.

The B.C. Ministry of
Agriculture and Lands (BCMAL) will deliver AgriStability for B.C. farmers on
behalf of the federal and provincial governments starting with the 2009 program
year. The federal administration will complete the processing of B.C. files for
the 2008 and prior program years.

BCMAL program experts
will be located in four regional offices across the province to serve producers
in-person or by telephone. Federal and provincial governments are working
together to ensure a smooth transfer with no disruption to producers.

“Farmers in different
parts of the country have different needs so we’re proud to partner with the
Government of B.C. to give farmers the local service they deserve,” said
Minister Ritz. “This move will bring 25 jobs to B.C. and will boost the local
economy as we continue to move forward with our Economic Action Plan.”