ASB may be delegated authority to declare agricultural disasters
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Agriculture Service Board has directed county administration to draft a revision to Bylaw 2019-19, adding a clause to delegate authority to the board to declare agricultural disasters within Wheatland County.
The draft of the revised bylaw is to be brought back to the board for consideration to submit the recommended bylaw revision to council.
Administration described to the board during the Oct. 4 meeting, an Agriculture Service Board meeting is typically held in early July every year. By this time, crop conditions may be observed to determine whether they are favourable.
“Using information provided by board members, crop reports, staff, and moisture situation updates, the Agriculture Service Board would have the information needed to make the determination to potentially declare an agricultural disaster within Wheatland County,” said George Bloom, agricultural fieldman for Wheatland County. “While the authority rests with council to declare a disaster within the county, council may delegate this authority to the Agricultural Service Board.”
Bloom described in recent years council has requested by resolution that the Agricultural Service Board deliberate and make the final recommendation or decision about declaring an agricultural disaster within the county.
He added the decision to delegate the authority to the board is being made under the premise of streamlining the associated administrative process and removing red tape.
The delegation of authority does not preclude the ability of county council to make the decision to declare an agricultural disaster should council wish to do so.
An agricultural disaster was declared over Wheatland County, July 5, as the area was among the driest regions in the province at the time.
Agricultural disasters are declared by municipalities as a way to signal to provincial and federal governments that the growing conditions farmers are experiencing in their respective regions have become dire.
The declarations do not have any direct impacts experienced by residents and ratepayers. The purpose is more so to serve as an effective signal to other government bodies that additional support is required.
Board member Shannon Laprise said she had inquired to Bloom for information about whether other Agriculture Service Boards and councils have taken a similar approach regarding disaster declarations.
“He had indicated that there are a number that have been delegated this authority … the timing of it is conducive to an Agriculture Service Board declaration,” said Laprise. “Sometimes it gets delayed because of having to go to council if council had not pre-authorized it as we had this year.”
It was not indicated during the meeting when the revised bylaw would be brought before county council.