August 15, 2015
AAFC rescinds decision on availability of Advance Payments Program

The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) recently received the good news that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) will not require nursery and sod growers to participate in the AgriStability program in order to qualify for the Advance Payments Program (APP). 

The reversal to this decision was a result of a letter sent by CNLA to AAFC and a subsequent conference call meeting, which included representatives from industry, CNLA, Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) and AAFC. 
In their announcement to CNLA, offials from AAFC acknowledged that industry would have insufficient time to apply for the AgriStability program for the 2015 application deadlines. 
AAFC cautions that this change is effective for 2015 only and they will advise the industry further related to any decisions made for 2016.  It is hoped that program changes within AAFC will allow for other forms of security to support applications for 2016 and beyond.

CNLA extends their sincere thanks to Agriculture Credit Corporation for assistance in presenting the industry’s position to AAFC related to this matter. Thanks are also extended to JC Bakker Nurseries and Eagle Lake Sod Farms for representing industry needs on this important conference call with AAFC.

For more information on how your nursery can access interest-free operating funds through the Advance Payments Program, visit the ACC website.