OTTAWA – Ontario is applying to the federal government for financial assistance to help ease the effects of a drought gripping the province.

 Ted McMeekin, Ontario’s minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs, has asked Ottawa to accelerate tax relief for livestock producers in regions that are most affected by the drought.

The province has also asked Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to help the province assess support options for livestock producers.

McMeekin says the hot, dry conditions are having an adverse effect on crops, especially in eastern Ontario.
 
Environment Canada says in Ottawa, where the average rainfall for July is 89 millimetres, only 12 millimetres of rain fell this month.
   
 McMeekin says farmers will be protected from reductions in their AgriStability coverage if they feel their crops are impacted by the dry conditions and lack of rain, or if they are forced to sell livestock due to hay and pasture shortages.