Farm Debt Mediation Service: Step 2. Eligibility

Step 2. Eligibility

Check if you meet the criteria to apply.

Eligibility checklist

You must meet the following 2 criteria to be eligible for mediation services under the Farm Debt Meditation Act (FDMA).

1. You farm for commercial purposes
   • You produce agricultural products for sale and not solely for their purpose
   • You meet the FDMA definition of farming, which means:
     • the production of field-grown crops, cultivated and uncultivated, and horticultural crops
     • the raising of livestock, poultry and fur-bearing animals
     • the production of eggs, milk, honey, maple syrup, tobacco, fibre, wood from woodlots and fodder crops
     • the production or raising of any other prescribed thing or animal
2. You're insolvent and indicate at least 1 of the following to describe your current financial situation:
   • You've stopped your payments or can't make your payments on time
   • If sold, the value of your property would not be enough to cover the cost of your debts

Eligibility and the 2-year rule

You can only submit one Farm Debt Mediation Service application for the same farming operation under section 5(1)(a) or 5(1)(b) within a 2-year period. This rule applies from either:

• the date you signed an arrangement
• the date after your initial application was made if you did not sign an arrangement

Note: The 2-year limit does not apply to new applications for different sections or different farming operations.