The PC Alberta Party is calling on the provincial and federal governments to create a disaster recovery program. Farmers have been hit hard this year by dry weather and huge grasshopper numbers, and so far 12 municipalities have declared agricultural disasters.
Grande Prairie – Wapiti MLA and Critic for Agriculture Wayne Drysdale says producers will need more help than they can normally get from crop insurance programs to cover their losses. The Tories are particularly concerned about cattle producers who are having to sell off their herds because of the shortage of hay and other feed.
Drysdale says he’ll be meeting with the Agriculture Minister to urge him to establish a provincial program that could lead to federal assistance.