Trucking Livestock With Border Restrictions
Canadian Emergency Business Account (CEBA) Update
Deputy Prime Minister Freeland announced changes to the CEBA program that will open the loan program up to businesses that have been operating from personal banking accounts.
According to the Finance Departments backgrounder (see here), to be eligible, businesses:
- must have been operating as a business as of March 1, 2020,
- must successfully open a business account at a Canadian financial institution that is participating in CEBA, and
- meet the other existing CEBA eligibility criteria
The deadline to apply for CEBA is December 31, 2020.
CEBA Application Extension
The Federal Government announced August 31, 2020 that the deadline for applying for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been extended to October 31, 2020, making the program accessible longer to Canadians. Additional information can be found on the Government of Canada website.
Advisory Direct Sales Producers
The Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA) is launching a survey looking at the effects COVID-19 has had on direct sales patterns within the Agriculture Industry. Primary producers and producers who value-add are being encouraged to participate in the survey if they direct sell to consumers.
For the NSDA survey, direct sales are defined as “Farm to customer through farm gate, farmers market, online ecommerce, community shared agriculture deliveries and sales through small or alternative retailers.”
If you direct sell to consumers and would like to take part in this confidential survey, please contact Elizabeth Morgan at elizabeth.morgan@novascotia.ca with your name, farm name, and the region your operation is situated. A department staff member will contact you about the survey this September.
COVID-19 Financial support for farmers and food processors
An all-inclusive information portal is available to help farmers, food processors and agri-food businesses find information on new and existing programs and financial resources to address hardships that many are experiencing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These initiatives help to:
- Maintain workforces,
- Keep facilities safe,
- Provide access to capital,
- Manage processing slowdowns and surpluses, and
- Ensure Canadians continue to have access to a stable food supply
Learn more about at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada website.
Open Farm Day 2020
Due to public health recommendations and the ongoing risk of COVID-19, Open Farm Day will be a virtual only event this year!
Registration closes July 31, 2020.
To register please visit the NSFA Public Trust webpage.
Support Canadian Food
Our Canadian farmers & food supply chain need support to mitigate the massive disruptions from COVID-19, to continue to provide all Canadians with a wide variety of affordable, nutritious food.
Visit Support Canadian Food to send a letter of support to your MP today!
Emergency Processing Fund: Atlantic Canada
Perennia Food and Agriculture Inc. is pleased to be delivering the Emergency Processing Fund: Atlantic Canada for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada for the Agriculture Processing Sector.
The Emergency Processing Fund aims to incent strategic investments to maintain and increase domestic food production and processing critical to domestic food security and the domestic food supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Atlantic Canadian agriculture processing companies, please refer to the documents at www.perennia.ca/coronavirus for Atlantic Canada Program information.
Please start by reading the Program Applicant Guide and completing the Pre-Screening Checklist to determine eligibility. Perennia can be contacted at programs@perennia.ca or at 1-877-710-5210 toll-free or 902-678-7722.
COVID-19: Agriculture Response Program
This program is designed to help Nova Scotia’s agriculture industry mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry’s competitiveness, productivity and profitability.
There are four streams for funding under the COVID-19 Response and Mitigation Program. The funding doesn’t need to be repaid:
Stream 1: COVID-19 Mitigation and Adaptation for Health Protocol:
Applicants are eligible for 75% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per program year, to help applicants comply with recommended health protocols.
Stream 2: COVID-19 Marketing, Product Movement and Distribution
Agriculture companies and registered Nova Scotia farms as applicants are eligible for 50% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $20,000 per project.
Stream 3: COVID-19 Strategic Projects
Initiatives at a sector or industry level will be reviewed for funding on an individual basis. If they’re deemed to meet the objectives of the Program, they will be assessed on an individual merit, impact and reach basis.
Stream 4: COVID-19 Abattoir Efficiency and Development
Applicants are eligible for 75% funding assistance on total eligible project costs to a maximum of $50,000 per program year.
Additional information, such as eligibility, how to apply and the application form, can be found here.
Perennia’s COVID-19 Adaptations
As of May 27th, Perennia’s Agriculture Specialists have begun limited restart scenarios for on-farm visits. Please see the below PDF for additional information.