Key Takeaways:
- The Prince Edward Island Agriculture Fiona Recovery Fund (PEIAgFRF) was established with $8.5M in federal funding.
- The program aims to assist agricultural operations affected by Hurricane Fiona in PEI.
- Funding focuses on rebuilding infrastructure and maintaining the viability of the agricultural industry.
- Eligibility criteria will be detailed on the PEIAgFRF webpage, targeting immediate needs and quantifiable losses.
- The initiative is crucial for the economic recovery of PEI’s agriculture sector.
The Government of Canada has launched the Prince Edward Island Agriculture Fiona Recovery Fund (PEIAgFRF), a new program designed to aid Prince Edward Island (PEI) agricultural operators who have suffered extensive damage due to Hurricane Fiona. The initiative, backed by an $8.5 million investment through the Atlantic Canadian Opportunities Agency (ACOA), focuses on restoring and rebuilding the agricultural infrastructure damaged by the storm.
Overview of the Recovery Fund
The PEIAgFRF targets agricultural operations that experienced significant damage to insured assets from Hurricane Fiona, which were not wholly recoverable through existing disaster relief supports. The program aims to re-establish or maintain the viability of PEI’s agricultural industry by facilitating the repair, rebuilding, and restoration of infrastructure and farm equipment to pre-Fiona conditions.
Eligibility and Application To The Fund
A comprehensive list of eligibility requirements will soon be available on the PEIAgFRF webpage. To qualify, farms and agricultural operations must demonstrate an immediate need and quantifiable loss or damage due to Hurricane Fiona. Furthermore, eligible producers must have exhausted all other sources of financial assistance, including the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), other federal and provincial programs, and insurance.
Government Statements
The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by PEI farmers since Hurricane Fiona. “This (PEIAgFRF) program will help people in the agriculture industry across PEI get back to doing what they do best,” she stated, acknowledging the program’s role in aiding recovery.
The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, also emphasized the critical role of the agriculture and agri-food sector as the backbone of PEI’s local economy. He expressed pride in supporting the recovery of Island farmers, which will strengthen and benefit communities across the province.
Photo by Scott Walsh on Unsplash
