The Farming Assistance Ad-Hoc Committee officially had their terms of reference approved on Tuesday night.
Prince Edward County council went item by item making sure they got the terms of reference correct.
Mayor Robert Quaiff says this now allows the ad-hoc committee to get to work.
Council has asked the ad-hoc committee to report back to council with recommendations no later than July 12th.
One major issue discussed around the horseshoe were the questions from councillors regarding how many farmers would be eligible for assistance, what the funding thresholds would be and how would council budget for this funding.
Councillor Brad Nieman says the committee’s job is to find out all the unknowns.
Councillor Janice Maynard, a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, also is a member of the Farming Assistance Ad-Hoc Committee and says eligible farmers wouldn’t receive more than 20% in assistance and all applicants can get something. She said it’s not something that is meant to be over subscribed to.
Nieman, also a member of the ad-hoc committee and AAC, says the committee needs to be flexible and credible.
Councillor David Harrison has some reservations when it comes to the Farming Assistance Ad-Hoc Committee.
That led him to declare on Tuesday night at the Prince Edward County council meeting he wants to remain a member of the Agricultural Advisory Committee, but not a member of the ad-hoc committee.
He says the ad-hoc committee has not been well thought out and he feels it is a waste of the committee’s time and staff’s time.
Councillor Bill Roberts was elected by council to fill the vacancy on the ad-hoc committee.
