The Federal Government's announcement providing farmers financial aid through the Advance Payments Program (APP) is getting mixed reactions.

Some producers say increasing the available credit available is just a band-aid fix.

On Wednesday, the Government announced the APP limit in 2019 is going up from $400,000 to $1 million for all farmers, and the interest-free portion for canola growers will be $500,000.

The Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association isn't sold on the Government's move in response to the continuing trade issue with China.

Wheat Growers President, Gunter Jochum, says China's decision to block canola has had a major impact on grain farmers with no end in sight.

"Farmers don't want tax dollars in the form of interest free loans, we want to be able to grow our grains and export them without political interference."

The organization says the increase in available credit may help farmers in the short-term, however, to be eligible for the $1 million advance on canola where $500,000 is interest free, you have to produce about 200,000 bushels of canola.

They say that's about 5,263 acres yielding 38 bushels per acre.

The Conservative Party is also calling for more action from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his Liberals.

In a statement from the Shadow Ministers of Agriculture, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Diversification, they say Trudeau failing to appoint an Ambassador to China, and not launching a formal WTO trade complaint, shows his weakness on the international stage.

While the Conservatives appreciate the increase in financial aid for producers, they say it's too bad it's taken months to do.

 

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