The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) is calling on the country’s government for support as foodservice sales dive and retail is also down, as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic causes economic chaos. Spotlight The global outbreak of Covid-19 is disrupting seafood trade flows Read more
A letter dated March 26 from the CAIA to Bernadette Jordan, the country’s fisheries minister, calls for multiple support measures it notes are available to crop and other livestock farmers in Canada. According to sources, the aquaculture sector is concerned about getting any support in the CAD 82 billion ($58.2bn) aid package the Canadian government has made available to help businesses and individuals impacted by COVID-19.
“The Canadian government hasn’t mentioned specific supports for aquaculture farmers yet. Not once. Minister Jordan needs to be asked point-blank if the Trudeau government is going to support the aquaculture farmers to keep tens of thousands of essential food production workers from being laid off. Our local food supply for grocery stores and trade is at risk,” one Canadian industry figure, who asked not to be quoted by name, told Undercurrent News.
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