BC’s ranchers will be able to access a share of $20 million to help with extraordinary expenses incurred as a result of this ear’s wildfire and drought.
“This year’s drought and fires have been incredibly difficult for many B.C. ranchers and farmers, and the B.C. government is here to help them keep their livelihoods and the province’s food security and economy moving forward,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture. “The $20-million response package we’ve put together will help B.C. ranchers maintain their breeding stock, continue their operations and continue to supply British Columbians with food grown and raised in our province.”
The 2021 Canada-British Columbia Wildfire and Drought AgriRecovery Initiative will cover extraordinary costs including:
- Individualized support for extraordinary feed costs based on feed need calculations
- Up to 70% support for transportation costs to help ensure livestock have feed and water throughout the recovery period
- Where Crown range or pasture is lost due to fire, specific support for alternative grazing requirements
- Up to $80 per head to re-establish safe winter-feeding facilities and general cleanup required as a result of fire damage
- Up to 70% of the extraordinary veterinary and mustering expenses caused by wildfires
- Up to 70% of the market value of breeding animals for mortality due to wildfires
- Up to 70% of extraordinary costs incurred by an industry organization and not paid for by another agency or government department
- Up to 70% of extraordinary costs required to return to normal crop production
- Up to 70% of the extraordinary costs required to replace wildfire-damaged bee colonies, apiaries and equipment