Merritt rallies together to support local farmers and ranchers

On Sunday, Merritt area ranchers and supportive locals gathered for a rally in support of local farmers and ranchers.

The rally was to elevate the concern of ranchers that were devastated by the November floods and to push the BC Government to act.

“We really want to show the government that we are important. We supply part of the food for our population and we cant be ignored. There is power in numbers and in big loud voices. Lets continue to stick together, i feel like we’re really accomplishing something here,” said Rancher Rhonda McDonald prior to the march down Voght Street.

“Western North Americium is in a feed crisis this year because of weather events. That left those of us who lost our winter feed supply scrambling to find hay in December and January, when the prices are at least double what they normally are,” added McDonald.

The BC Government has announced that at 1:00pm Monday, February 7, a press conference will be held to discuss a recovery program for the agricultural sector.

“The Government has been dragging it’s heels on releasing the recovery program. We did get word that they are planning a press conference,” said McDonald.