Canada’s national farm organization is asking Ottawa for an emergency support fund for farmers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Canadian Federation of Agriculture president Mary Robinson says domestic food production should be second only to healthcare as a priority in the fight against the coronavirus.

She says farmers face labor shortages, volatile markets and increasing costs due to COVID-19.

She says producers need government support to ensure a stable food supply in Canada.

She says consumers could see a decrease in the variety of food at local stores as well as rising prices without a federal farm support plan.

Robinson is asking Canadians to contact their local MP to tell them to support farmers for stable food production during the COVID-19 outbreak.