Environment Funding Announced for Farmers
More farmers in Nova Scotia will be able to assess environmental risk with the help of $1.5 million over the next three years. The funding will help increase the number of farmers that participate in Nova Scotia's Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program.
Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, made the announcement today, Dec. 7, at the annual meeting of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture in Truro.
EFP is a voluntary program that helps farmers identify and assess environmental risk on their property. The Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries first introduced the concept of environmental farm plans in 1997. To date, 200 farms have participated in the program.
"Because of the federation's effort, the national recognition of this program and the department's desire to increase participation, Agriculture and Fisheries has committed more resources to deliver this program," said Mr. Fage.
The department will commit $500,000 for each of the next three years so that more farms can be assessed. The money will go towards placing more people in the field to assist farmers with their plans.
As well, the department will move forward on the development of nutrient-management training and modules to integrate into the EFP program. Mr. Fage also announced additional funding from the Farm Investment Fund for nutrient planning in 2003-04. Nutrient Management plans compliment the EFP program.
Nutrient Management Plan reports will be funded at 100 per cent, up to a maximum of $1,500. This money is in addition to the $10,000 assistance cap offered under the Farm Investment Fund program.
As part of the environmental package announced today, the department has also added a transportation subsidy to farmers for limestone. This will also be carried out through the Farm Investment Fund program in 2003-04.
Much of the agricultural land base in Nova Scotia requires lime for good crop production. Liming is part of environmental stewardship and therefore is considered part of the environmental farm plan initiative.
Financial assistance will be provided based on the cost of transporting limestone from the source to the farm operation. Claims will be based on paid invoices for transportation.
Mr. Fage also talked about the successful co-operation between the department and the federation. He assured meeting participants that heir concerns have been fully represented at the national level in regards to the national agriculture policy framework.