BREAKING: Trudeau announces $252 million in coronavirus aid to agriculture industry

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $252 million in federal government assistance for farmers.

He announced $77 million to support food processors so they are able to pay for things like PPE and are able to follow other health protocols.

He also announced the launch of a $125 million agriculture recovery initiative.

“Farms and processing plans are raising more animals then the system can process into things like steak and bacon because of COVID-19. For many farmers this crisis means that they have to keep animals for longer periods of time, and that can be expensive.”

“So with this funding we’re giving extra help to beef and pork producers so that they can adapt to this crisis. This is an initial investment and if we have to add more, we will,” said Trudeau.

The Prime Minister then announced the launch of a $50 million surplus food processing program. He said the government will be buying products that are at risk of going to waste, such as potatoes and poultry.

The Federal government has covered $50 million in costs for temporary worker housing and isolation measures. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau previously asked for more to be done.

In a statement, Canadian Federation of Agriculture president, Mary Robinson said, “We understand that the entire country is under duress. Agriculture is a unique player in our economy. Not only does agriculture create value for our economy, act as stewards of our environment and employ over two million Canadians, agriculture also provides us the unique benefit of food - not only for Canada but for the world at large.”