Ministry of Agriculture and Food response to flooding

Last updated on March 4, 2024

Supports and resources are available to help B.C.'s agriculture producers recover from floods and mudslides.

Last updated: November 18, 2022

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Contacts for producers

For general agricultural inquiries, call the AgriService BC emergency response line at 1-888-221-7141. 

Producers located in the Fraser Valley, Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the North impacted by flooding should contact their local industry association for non-emergency support and information regarding agricultural response needs.

 

Find your industry association

Food safety guidance

The ministry has developed food safety guidance to help producers assess and address the risks to food safety from the November 2021 floods in the Fraser Valley. The Food Safety Risk Assessment for Flood Events can be accessed here (PDF, 774 KB).

 

Prepare for winter road conditions

As drivers travel on new routes, it is more important than ever to ensure your vehicle is prepared for winter conditions. The Shift into winter campaign provides free resources and online safety courses to help commercial truck drivers ensure their vehicles are safe and secure while driving in winter conditions. 

The Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure has also developed Information Maps to help drivers familiarize themselves any challenges they will encounter while travelling on unfamiliar routes. Maps for multiple highways are available (including Highways 3, 5, and 99) on TranBC's Current Road Advisories and Information webpage.

Get your farm back up and running

Abbotsford return home plan

The City of Abbotsford has launched their Return Home website, which contains important information and advisories for the South, Central, Lake Bottom, and North Return Home Areas including:

  • Active evacuation orders,
  • Water advisories,
  • Information on the rapid damage assessment process, and
  • Financial assistance.

Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program

On Feb. 7, 2022, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Marie-Claude Bibeau and British Columbia Agriculture Minister Lana Popham announced the Canada-BC Flood Recovery for Food Security Program, which will be delivered by the Government of British Columbia and will leverage the federal government’s AgriRecovery Framework and Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA).

B.C. farmers who suffered extraordinary damages during the November 2021 devastating floods will have access to up to $228 million in federal-provincial government support to help their farms return to production and support British Columbia’s food security and agricultural communities in the years ahead.

Program criteria and application forms are available from gov.bc.ca/agrifloodrecovery. One-on-one assistance in English and Punjabi is available to farmers requiring assistance completing the applications through AgriRecovery@gov.bc.ca  or 1 888 332 3352.

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 until December 31, 2022.

Learn about enrolling for AgriStability

Download AgSafe’s flooding re-entry and restarting tasks

AgSafe has developed a free Flooding Re-entry & Restarting Task Management Package to support producers in returning to their farms and building back.

The package includes the AgSafe resource request form and covers topics including:

  • Energy source management
  • Site access

 

Health, safety and wellness

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.

Safely dispose of spoiled feed

Contaminated and spoiled feed can be composted on-farm or stored for future land application. The ministry has developed guidance to support safe management of spoiled and contaminated feed. 

Arrange for safe removal of hazardous materials

Do not attempt to handle or dispose of agricultural hazardous materials such as plant protection materials (pesticides, fungicides, herbicides), fertilizers, and hydrocarbons (i.e., gasoline, diesel, heating oil, propane) if you believe they have been compromised due to the floods.

Producers in Abbotsford should contact the AgriService BC emergency response line at 1-888-221-7141 to be connected with a hazardous materials disposal company for safe removal and disposal.

Managing a liquid-manure overflow risk

Due to flooding, there is a risk of liquid manure releases from storage systems in the Metro Vancouver or Fraser Valley Regional Districts. An order has been issued requiring all agricultural operators in the area to contact the ministry.

Guidance is available if you’re at risk here.

 

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.

Download AgSafe BC's mental wellness app, Avail

Avail provides access to mental wellness resources, check-ups and appointments for B.C. agriculture producers.

Donations

Before donating supplies or money, review EmergencyInfoBC’s recommendations on How You Can Help to make sure your thoughtful donations are safe, secure, and making an impact.

Red Cross

British Columbians wishing to make a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross to help those impacted by the floods can do so online at redcross.ca, by calling 1-800-418-1111, or by texting BCFLOODS to 30333.

Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund

The Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund, is organized by the Abbotsford Community Foundation, University of the Fraser Valley and Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce to support front-line agencies providing essential services to affected families and businesses

Agriculture organizations

These British Columbia-based organizations are accepting donations to help communities, including farmers, recover from the adverse effects of the flooding and severe weather.

Please note these are not registered charitable donations and cannot provide a charitable donation receipt.

 

Subscribe to the e-bulletin distribution list to receive weekly updates on emergency resources and recovery programming as the ministry continues to respond to producer needs. 

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