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Minister wants farmers to move quickly for funding

Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Leona Dombrowsky is urging all farmers in Bruce and Grey counties to investigate as to whether or not they qualify for some of the money that is being given out by her ministry. Appearing on Soundingboard at 98 the Beach Tuesday morning, Dombrowsky says grain and oilseed farmers are getting the largest chunk of the $125-million at 80-million-dollars and there are farmers who have not been included in the past, that will be included for help this time around. Dombrowsky also pointed out that this money is earmarked for everyone, no matter what the size of the farm, as long as the ministry has up to date 2005 information from the farm operations in Bruce and Grey counties. She says she has been in touch with her federal counterpart Chuck Strahl urging that a joint partnership between the province and the federal government be established to help Ontario farmers. She mentioned that the two were unable to come up with a joint plan before the provincial announcement made on Monday. Dombrowsky says the first order of business is to make sure each farm is registered with up to date information which can be provided to the Ministry of Agriculture by calling toll free, 1-877-838-5144.

In addition to the $80-million to grain and oilseed producers, another $35-million will go to producers of crops such as fruits and vegetables with the remaining $10-million going toward an Ontario livestock and poultry traceability system in an effort to strengthen emergency management.