Released on July 26, 2006
The Government of Saskatchewan has announced it will provide full funding for the 2006 Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program."When we announced the budget this spring, we indicated that we would review our level of funding for CAIS by the third quarter," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said. "Given the strength of the Saskatchewan economy in the first quarter of this year, we are pleased today to confirm our commitment to fully fund CAIS for 2006, as recommended by the Farm Support Review Committee."
Today's announcement commits an additional $60 million to Saskatchewan's share of the program, bringing total CAIS funding for the year to approximately $160 million. The Province has provided more than $700 million to Saskatchewan producers through CAIS since it was introduced in 2003.
"While it is important for our producers in the short-term that we fully fund CAIS, it is imperative for the future of the agriculture industry that the federal government provide significantly greater support to farmers," Wartman said.
"We need a national disaster assistance program for agriculture. We need trade injury programming, and we need a change to the current 60:40 federal-provincial cost share formula. These are the federal government's responsibilities, and I invite all producers to challenge the federal government to live up to their responsibilities and address what are clearly national problems."
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For More Information, Contact:
| Trish Alcorn Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-5389 |