Financial Support for Agriculture and Forestry

Emergency support is on the way for resource industries impacted by hurricane Fiona.

Premier Tim Houston announced a range of financial supports today, October 14, for the agriculture and forestry sectors.

“In parts of our province, hurricane Fiona had a devastating impact on farm infrastructure, crops and livestock, as well as private woodlots,” said Premier Houston. “Our resource-based sectors are critical to the health of our economy, especially in rural Nova Scotia. They need our support right now as they recover and rebuild after the storm.”

Provincial relief programs for the agriculture sector

• A one-time grant of $2,500 will be sent automatically to registered farms in central, northern and eastern Nova Scotia that experienced financial losses because of infrastructure or crop damage, livestock loss or extended power outages due to the hurricane. No application is needed. This funding from the $4-million Farm Emergency Response Grant Program will also help farmers with damage outside these areas. Information will be on the Agriculture Department’s website soon.

• The government is also providing $6 million through the Agricultural Response Program to cover extraordinary operational costs incurred because of the storm. A simplified application process will be announced soon to ensure funding is disbursed quickly. Up to $9 million more will be available if needed in the weeks and months ahead to help with costs to rebuild that are not covered by any other programs.