SASKATCHEWAN ANNOUNCES PROVINCIAL CULL PROGRAM

Released on December 10, 2003

The Government of Saskatchewan announced today a program to help producers with cull animals who have been impacted by BSE.

The $17.5 million Saskatchewan Cull Animal Program will provide payments of $128 per eligible beef and dairy animal to offset the downturn in the market for cull animals due to BSE. The program represents Saskatchewan's 40 per cent contribution to the National Cull Animal Program announced November 21st by the federal government.

"Our industry told us that while they appreciated the federal government's program, they did not want the program tied to slaughter," Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said. "We are responding to the concerns raised by producers. Payments under the provincial program will be made directly to producers once they register their herd size with program administrators."

Payments will be based on eight per cent of a producer's beef breeding herd or 16 per cent of their dairy breeding herd as of September 1st, 2003. The breeding herd includes all animals over 30 months of age. Program information for other ruminants affected by the closure of the US border (bison, elk, deer, sheep and goats) will be included in the registration form.

"The province has participated in a number of programs to help the different elements of the livestock industry through the BSE crisis. Programming to deal with the cull animal issue was the final piece remaining," Serby said. "The province appreciates the assistance of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities in making registration forms available through rural municipal offices."

Program registration forms will be available on the website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca or through local Rural Service Centres and rural municipal offices, on December 12th, 2003. The deadline for herd registration under the program is January 31st, 2004.

The Saskatchewan Cull Animal Program Hotline, a toll free information line, at 1-866-621-3224 will be made available beginning December 17th, 2003. In the interim, producers can call 1-877-874-5365 if they have immediate questions regarding the program.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-4031