Prime Minister François Legault announced Monday that an agreement in principle has been reached between the Union of Agricultural Producers of Quebec (UPA) and the government.
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“Agricultural producers have been heard and I am very happy to have this agreement in principle,” he declared after leaving a meeting with the UPA.
Additional assistance must be provided to help farmers who have experienced problems with feeding their animals due to the drought in Abitibi.
Market gardeners affected by the heavy rains of summer 2023 should also receive additional aid.
“We will also review the program to help farmers cope with very high key rates,” added the Prime Minister at a press briefing.
The moratorium on cultivable areas will also be replaced by a regulatory framework, “a request made for a very long time by the UPA,” according to Mr. Legault.
The Quebec government also plans to reduce the administrative burden on farmers.
“We are really going to reduce paperwork and bureaucracy on 14 measures,” said the Prime Minister.
Other measures could also be added “in the medium term”.
“It was a very good meeting, I am happy to have an agreement in principle with the UPA,” said François Legault.
This agreement is not yet official, since it will have to be approved by the Council of Ministers next Wednesday.
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