Risk Management Pilot Program Extended

 
Risk Management Pilot Program Extended
 
 
 

July 30, 2010 11:15 AM

McGuinty Government Supporting Ontario Farmers

The province is supporting its grain and oilseed producers by temporarily extending the sectors' Risk Management Program (RMP) pilot for the 2010 crop year.

The program helps farmers offset losses caused by low grain and oilseed commodity prices. In 2010, prices for grain and oilseed have dropped more than 25 per cent - significantly below the cost of production.  Participation in the extended program is open to farmers who received assistance in 2008 and/or in 2009, as well as those who began farming on or after January 1, 2008.

Building on discussions at the recent meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers of Agriculture earlier this month, Ontario will continue to encourage the federal government to work with Ontario farmers to develop stable, predictable, bankable programs that support all agricultural sectors. 

The extension of this program supports the Open Ontario plan, which is creating jobs and building stronger rural communities.

QUICK FACTS

 
  • There are more than 25,000 grain and oilseed farmers in Ontario who represent over 25 per cent of the value of farm production in Ontario
  • The program will continue to be administered by Agricorp.
  • Ontario's agri-food sector is one of the province's leading industries, contributing more than $33 billion to the economy every year.
  • The Ontario government has provided more than $1.8 billion in income stabilization to Ontario farmers since 2003.

CONTACTS

  • Sarah Petrevan
    Minister's Office
    416-326-3861
    sarah.petrevan@nullontario.ca
  • Susan Murray
    Communications Branch
    519-826-3145
    susan.murray@nullontario.ca



Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
ontario.ca/agriculture


 

"Ontario's grains and oilseeds farmers have told me quite clearly that this program helped them reduce business risk and provided a sense of long-term stability. This government has listened and we have responded by extending this program a further year while we continue to work with our federal colleagues to address farmers concerns with the current suite of shared federal-provincial business risk management programs."

 – Carol Mitchell
Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

"RMP is a proven success. It is an example of how complex problems can be solved -- or at least managed -- when farmers and governments work together. Premier Dalton McGuinty and Agriculture Minister Carol Mitchell have shown leadership in protecting the viability of the family farm in Ontario. Now it is up to the federal government to do its part."

 – Leo Guilbeault
Chair, Ontario Grains & Oilseeds

 
 
 
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