Sarnia

Ritz Talks About Advance Payments Program Changes

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz is reminding farmers of some changes to the Advance Payments Program which went into effect April 1st.

APP is a financial loan guarantee program that gives producers easier access to credit through cash advances.

Those advances can provide up to 50 per cent of the average market price producers are expected to receive for their agricultural product.

Advances can be up to 400 thousand dollars, with the first 100 thousand interest-free.

Among the program changes for 2015 - producers can get advances for all commodities through one application with a single administrator.

There's no longer a requirement for a producer to be principally occupied in farming to qualify for the program.

And there are now cases where repayment of advances can be made without proof of sale without any penalty.

While many of the Advance Payments Program changes went into effect April 1st, some still need amendments to the related regulations to be implemented.

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