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Canadian farmers are warning their fields could fall fallow and their crops left to rot this summer, resulting in potential food shortages and higher prices.

In a news conference Thursday, the Canadian Federation of Agriculture said farmers need reassurance that government financial aid is coming, or else many will abandon the 2020 growing season.

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“This is a potential tragedy, one Canada cannot afford,” CFA president Mary Robinson said. “We do not mean to create panic. At the same time, it would be irresponsible not to sound the alarm about the realities Canadian farmers are facing.”

The agriculture sector is now at a tipping point, Robinson said, with farmers facing complications with migrant labour and unexpected costs for things such as personal protective equipment. The uncertainty has led some farmers to consider switching to growing soy beans for animal feed, which take less money and labour than, say, tomatoes.