The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries urges producers directly impacted by flooding to contact their local industry association for support with agriculture-related response needs. Agriculture producers in Abbotsford that do not belong to dairy, poultry or hog commodity associations should call the Abbotsford agricultural emergency response line at 1-604-262-7640.

For all other agricultural inquiries, contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries AgriService BC emergency response line at 1-888-221-7141.

DriveBC
Road conditions are changing regularly. Refer to the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure‘s DriveBC.ca or DriveBC.ca/mobile for up-to-date information on road conditions and events. Updates are also available by subscribing to @DriveBC on Twitter.

Special measures at the United States-Canada border
Due to extreme weather conditions in B.C. that have caused supply chain disruptions, Canadian domestic truck carriers may need to transit through the U.S. to reach destinations in Canada. Special measures are in place to support domestic truck carriers moving product from a Canadian point of origin to a Canadian destination through the U.S. 
 - U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidance to alleviate supply chain disruptions in B.C.
 - Canada Border Services Agency guidance on transit through the U.S.

Carriers that regularly travel between Canada and the United States should follow standard procedures in order to reduce delays in border crossings. 

Request a re-entry permit to access your farm
Permits are issued by your local Emergency Operations Centre based on regular safety assessments, and may be delayed or withdrawn if the safety situation changes. 

Report sturgeon and salmon on your property
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) has requested that anyone finding Sturgeon or Salmon, living or deceased, on their property call the DFO Emergency Hotline at 604-666-3500.

Participate in the AgriStability program
The AgriStability program provides funding to farmers who have experienced income declines due to crop or livestock losses or market conditions. Late Participation has been implemented to allow participants who are not currently enrolled for the 2021 program year to apply to enrol until December 31, 2022.

Program details and information on how to enrol can be found on the Agriculture income protection (AgriStability) webpage or contact the AgiStability office at 1-877-343-2767 or via email at AgriStability@gov.bc.ca. 

AgriRecovery
The AgriRecovery program assists livestock and crop producers with recovery costs which are beyond the supports provided by existing government disaster financial assistance, risk management programs, and private insurance. The governments of B.C. and Canada are working with industry to develop a program that addresses the needs of this disaster event. 

Contact agrirecovery@gov.bc.ca to receive an alert when the program is announced.

Apply for Employment Insurance
If you’re unable to work due to flooding or wildfires, apply for Employment Insurance (EI) benefits as soon as possible, even if your employer hasn’t yet issued you a record of employment. Details on the EI program are available here.

Safely dispose of spoiled feed
Contaminated and spoiled feed can be composted on-farm or stored for future land application. Review guidance on safely managing spoiled and contaminated feed.

Arrange for safe removal of hazardous materials
As you return to your farm, it is important that all necessary precautions are taken to ensure the health and safety of you, your family, and your staff. Do not attempt to relocate plant protection products (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides) and fertilizers if you believe they have been compromised due to the floods.

Call the Ministry’s Abbotsford Agricultural Flood Response Line at 604-262-7640 to be connected with a hazardous materials disposal company for safe removal and disposal.

What to do with flood debris?
Resources are available from BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to help you manage debris due to flooding – including flood damaged drywall.

Staying healthy in stressful times
The floods are having a devastating impact on our lives and our wellbeing. Help and resources for people who need to talk or feel overwhelmed are available

The Ministry‘s priority is supporting those directly impacted by flooding. Routine calls to the AgriService phone line 1-888-221-7141 may have delayed response times.

Labelling and packaging requirements for pre-packaged foods
Find the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's information for food businesses regarding labelling and packaging requirements for certain foods sold at retail or to foodservice establishments in BC

 Want to see more webinars to support that could support your business? Visit our AgriService B.C. Past Webinars library to view other recorded webinars.