SASKATCHEWAN AGRICULTURE ADDRESSES URGENT CROP SPRAYING REQUIREMENT

Released on August 15, 1995

Agriculture and Food Minister Andy Renaud today said the province has
moved quickly to ask Transport Canada to allow Saskatchewan licensed
aerial crop sprayers to hire spray planes from the United States to
deal with urgent crop spraying requirements of Saskatchewan farmers.

"It became apparent last week that due to wet weather some farmers
would have difficulty obtaining the services of an aerial sprayer,"
Renaud said. "As a result of the severe insect infestations,
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, working directly with the
Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association, has already arranged for
other Canadian licensed aerial applicators from Alberta, British
Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario to work in Saskatchewan."

Renaud said timing is critical to effective control. Demand for
service in some areas of the province is expected to remain strong for
another two weeks.

"To ensure availability of spray planes, Saskatchewan Agriculture and
Food is doing everything in its power to accommodate requests from
Saskatchewan aerial sprayers to bring in crop sprayers from the United
States," Renaud said.



Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, Transport Canada and the
Saskatchewan Aerial Applicators Association have co-operated to
facilitate timely licensing of aerial applicators while ensuring
effective industry standards. Licensing requirements are not a
deterrent to bringing qualified U.S. aerial sprayers into the province.

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For more information, contact:

Doug Billett
Manager, Production Technology
Sustainable Production Branch
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-8061