Major farm groups support her action.   Ottawa—With about six weeks to the deadline for farmers signing up for AgriStability this year, Agriculture Minster Marie-Claude Bibeau stepped up the pressure on truculent Prairie agriculture ministers who have yet to take a position on changes to the main farm support program she proposed back in November. More than 110 days have passed since she spelled out her proposal, which many provinces including Ontario have agreed to. Now she wants “a clear indication from the three Prairie provinces whether they will sign on or not.” She's been assisted in her action by Jim Carr, the special cabinet representative for the Prairies and her latest move won the backing of major national farm groups including the Canadian Federation of Agriculture CFA), Grain Growers of Canada (GGC), Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA), the Canadian Pork Council, the Horticultural Council of Canada, Canadian Canola Growers Association, and National Cattle Feeders' Association. On Nov. 27, Bibeau proposed at the end of a second virtual meeting with her provincial colleagues to eliminate the reference margin limit, criticized by farmers and experts for only serving to reduce a farmer's payout, and boost the compensation rate to 80 per cent. The changes could lead to a payout increase $170 million nationally from AgriStability to producers, who've been through some tough times because of trade disputes and the pandemic. “We are still awaiting a clear response from all three Prairie provinces to build a strong consensus to enact the proposed changes,” she said while offering to hold another ministers' meeting in the near future if there is agreement. With April 30th as the deadline to enroll in AgriStability for this year, farmers need assurance the program will actually help them, she said. Also at stake are discussions about the next five-year agricultural policy framework to begin in 2023 where longer-term changes can be developed. Bibeau said those reforms to the full suite of Business Risk Management programs “should not come at the expense of the short-term fixes to AgriStability that farmers are asking for today.” In a joint news release, the farm groups said Bibeau's proposals were consistent with recommendations they have proposed and would benefit agriculture across Canada. They praised the priority placed on addressing BRM reform “to ensure the ongoing viability of Canada's agriculture sector, particularly at a time where our sector is primed to drive Canada's economic recovery” CCA President Bob Lowe said, “We need to have tools that help us better manage the risks of weather, trade and production. The proposed program enhancements will do that and better position the beef industry to contribute to Canada's economic recovery.” CFA President Mary Robinson said, “The AgriStability deadline is looming, and Canadian farmers and ranchers are already making their risk management decisions for the year. “There is no time left to wait, we need clarity now.” Grain Growers President Andre Harp said the ministers need “to come together in support of Canada's farmers, and agree to invest in the future of Canadian agriculture, at a time when our sector is primed to drive Canada's economic recovery.” Alex Binkley is a freelance journalist and writes for domestic and international publications about agriculture, food and transportation issues. He's also the author of two science fiction novels with more in the works.