(Abbotsford) The federal Minister of Agriculture visited a poultry farm devastated by recent flooding in British Columbia. She said she was impressed by community members who found the strength to help each other as their own lives were affected.
Marie-Claude Bibeau visited the farm with British Columbia Minister of Agriculture Lana Popham.
“It affected their animals, it affected their own homes, their families and their communities,” said Minister Bibeau.
So the whole community was affected and even if it is directly affected, it still finds the strength to help each other. It is very impressive.
Marie-Claude Bibeau, Federal Minister of Agriculture
British Columbia Agriculture Minister Lana Popham said they both cried during the tour as they were at the scene of the disaster.
“And we’ve seen and heard the stories of the farmers who are still, in a way, at the heart of this emergency,” she said. The loss that has been felt is very deep. ”
A series of “atmospheric rivers” in mid-November forced thousands of people from their homes and at least four people died.
About 630,000 chickens, 420 cattle and 12,000 pigs perished in the Sumas Grassland, while more than 6,000 dairy cows were transported from affected farms to other locations to secure them from flooding.
Mme Popham said the devastation may have demonstrated the need and importance of a federal partnership to ensure the support of the farmers who have fed Canadians for years.
PHOTO JONATHAN HAYWARD, ARCHIVES THE CANADIAN PRESS
The two ministers flew over the Fraser Valley to see the damage.
The two ministers said that their visit to the region gave them a first-hand understanding of the situation and the priorities.
“We’ve both heard the engagement of people who are literally standing in the mud and just wanting to find a way that they can rebuild and get back to what they love,” said Mme Popham.
Mme Bibeau added that officials have had numerous conversations with farmers and their families to identify gaps and find ways to meet the most immediate needs, while determining how to help them in the future.
“The evaluation, we cannot do it overnight, we will continue to work together with the community to provide the support that is needed,” said Mme Bibeau.
Shortage of feed for livestock
Dairy farmers were already facing a difficult future as many did not have enough food for their animals due to record-breaking British Columbia heat waves this summer.
Gary Baars, who owns a dairy farm in the Sumas area, near Abbotsford, argued that the combined effect of fires, heat, flooding and inflation has squeezed profit margins.
“Hay prices are high everywhere,” he said. “I still thought it was fleeting, but between inflation, rising fertilizer and fuel prices, and lack of supplies, there is going to be a serious shortage of animal feed.”
Baars added that many people in the dairy industry have a lot of debt and the past year has been difficult for farmers.
British Columbia Dairy Farmers ‘Association vice-president Sarah Sache said Baars’ concern is being monitored by his organization.
“This will be a turning point for some farms if they continue in the industry,” she said.
Whether or not farmers continue to work will likely depend on what stage of their career they are at.
Sarah Sache, VP of the British Columbia Dairy Farmers Association
According to the province’s agriculture minister, finding suitable feed for livestock will also have a big impact on farmers’ livelihoods.
Mme Popham pointed out that the farmers of the Sumas Grassland had little food reserves for their animals and that many of these reserves were damaged by the floods.
“The issue of animal feed is going to be a big challenge for the whole industry,” she said.