Media Clipping — Friday August.15th, 2008, Truro Daily News

Farm incomes in N.S. and P.E.I. at rock bottom; GPI Atlantic report concludes

A new report says farm income in Nova Scotia and P.E.I. has hit rock bottom with farmers in both provinces now earning less than at any time in the last four decades.

GPI Atlantic, a Nova Scotia based non-profit research group, says in its study of farm economic viability that rural communities are at risk.

It says Nova Scotia farm income hasn’t covered expenses in four of the last six years, or in five of the last seven years on P.E.I.

Prices paid to producers for their products are inadequate relative to rising costs and are not keeping pace with farm expenses.

Total farm debt increased by 146 per cent in Nova Scotia, and by 445 per cent in P.E.I. between 1971 and 2006.

Report author Jennifer Scott says no society should allow its farmers to experience such severe economic hardship.

Copyright © 2008, The Canadian Press