NDP URGES UCP TO ASSURE SUPPORT FOR FARMERS FOLLOWING HEAT WAVE

EDMONTON - The Alberta NDP are asking the UCP to guarantee potential and necessary support to agricultural producers struggling as a result of the extreme heat.

“Crop producers are worried about their yields while cattle producers struggle to feed their livestock,” said NDP Agriculture Critic Heather Sweet. “Alberta producers need to have absolute assurance from their government that appropriate steps will be taken to guarantee the protection of the agriculture sector if the impact of the extreme heat leads to a severe drought.”

Sweet wrote a letter to Minister Dreeshen last week outlining concerns she has heard from across the province and asking the government to work cooperatively with all levels of government to secure funding if necessary. She also highlighted how this heat wave should lead the UCP to reconsider their position not to sign the full AgriStability proposal from the federal government.

“It is clear that the full AgriStability deal would be helping producers now. I sincerely hope the anxiety producers are feeling during this heat will make you reconsider your past position and simply get this deal done,” Sweet said.

“If financial support and partnership with other levels of government is needed after a drought, Albertans will need better behaviour and action from the UCP to secure federal funding.”