British Columbia Farmers have been extended by June 30 to apply for federal assistance under the AgriStable program.

Canadian Minister of Agriculture Marie-Claude Bebo and British Columbia's Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham have announced the launch of a late participation mechanism for AgriStability, which provides support to farmers during a market collapse.

New British Columbia farmers, or those who have previously refused to participate in the program, can now apply for a program covering 2018 by the end of June. Registered producers have been extended to pay fees until April 30. “Manufacturers can have access to AgriStability funds, whether they were registered initially or not,” Minister Bebo told reporters in Vernon, British Columbia. The Minister stated that the Government understood the farmers' plight due to weather changes and price fluctuations for certain goods. ”

Despite the extension, farmers are advised to apply in advance. Those who are too slow in submitting an application will be able to receive only 80% of the compensation awarded. Last year’s fires caused farmers to lose buildings, pastures and even livestock. Access to the AgriStability program will help ranchers compensate for some of these losses, said Dave Heywood-Farmer, president of the Canadian Cattle Herders Association.