NEW GAME FARM POLICY

Released on June 19, 1998

Agriculture and Food Minister Eric Upshall and Environment and

Resource Management Minister Lorne Scott today announced that the

Government of Saskatchewan has approved a new Game Farm Policy for the

province.



Input received from recent consultations, conducted in January and

February, assisted the government in developing Saskatchewan's new

Game Farm Policy for deer, elk and exotic livestock.



"The policy will facilitate sustainable growth and development of deer

and elk farming in the province," Upshall said.



"The new policy also ensures that deer and elk farming activities

continue to occur in harmony with the environment and that sustainable

management of wildlife populations and public access to these

resources are maintained," Scott said.



The ministers said the new policy on game farm development represents

a balanced approach to deer and elk farming in the province and will

address the majority of the concerns stakeholders had with the

development of this expanding sector of the agricultural economy.



In 1991 there were 65 elk producers and 28 white-tailed and/or

mule deer producers in the province, by 1997, there were 300 elk

producers and 45 deer producers. The 1997 inventory of deer and

elk in Saskatchewan has been estimated at over $90 million. The

industry generates over $3 million in product sales annually.



"The new policy provides the framework for the development of

regulations for elk and deer farming in the province. The policy

also includes an amending process for any future changes which

commits the government to continued consultation. The input

obtained through the consultations was invaluable in developing a

policy," the ministers said.



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For more information contact:



Sherri Dobbs

Sustainable Production Branch

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Regina

Phone: (306)787-4657



Ron Lind

Fish and Wildlife Branch

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

Regina

Phone: (306)787-5079