Adjustments have been made to the government’s agri-insurance policy on the back of expensive damage caused to orchards in the town of Oliver, British Columbia, last year.
According to a report in the
Oliver Chronicle, the update means that fruit crops which are damaged by wind will now have the definition of having a quality peril in line with the British Columbia production insurance program.
Agri-insurance has been designed to assist farmers with the management of crops that are lost when natural calamities occur – such as spring frost, drought and flooding. Now the policy update will apply to all tree fruit crops with the exception of cherries which are classified in a different manner.
Speaking about the decision, Fred Steele, president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association, noted that he had been lobbying for such a change for several years. Speaking to the
Oliver Chronicle, he commented that “it’s one of those things you keep asking for and sometimes never get – this time we got it.”
The severity of winds in the area last year gave fruit growers a strong argument – indeed one local vineyard is estimated to have lost around 100 trees due to the wind.
Now the enhanced insurance program will be introduced without any additional expense for farmers – it aims to offer peace of mind although most farmers will be hoping there is no need to use it.
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