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Manitoba task force to improve agricultural risk management programs

Jan. 21, 2015 - The Manitoba government is establishing a new task force to evaluate existing programs and policies used to help farmers recover from climate-related challenges such as flooding, with the goal of identifying more comprehensive and sustainable programs.

The Agriculture Risk Management Review Task Force will be chaired by Arborg-area farmer Bill Uruski and include five additional members to represent the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation, a financial institution, farmers and others with expertise in this area.

Its work will include:
- Holding a series of public consultations to receive input from Manitoba farmers, organizations and other stakeholders;
- Evaluating the effectiveness of current risk management tools, including production insurance, to help manage and recover from climate-related challenges;
- Identifying gaps in existing policies and programs;
- Recommending new options to improve farmers' ability to manage climate-related risks; and
- Identifying ways to shift government support from ad hoc assistance to planned and predictable programs.

Public consultations are expected to begin this spring, and a final report with recommendations to government will be submitted by the end of the year.

Information about the task force's public consultations will be available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture and at local MAFRD GO Offices once dates and locations are finalized.

January 21, 2015  By Top Crop Manager