GOVERNMENT FUNDS I.T. EQUIPMENT FOR PRAIRIE DIAGNOSTIC SERVICES

Released on March 7, 2006

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food has provided $500,000 to Saskatchewan's veterinary diagnostic laboratory, Prairie Diagnostic Services Inc. (PDS), to modernize its information technology infrastructure.

Updated equipment is necessary for the core operation of the laboratory and to support the exchange of information with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food for animal health surveillance purposes.

"The Government of Saskatchewan wants Saskatchewan's producers and the livestock industry to be served by the best possible technology," Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said. "The availability of modern, full-service veterinary diagnostic services is essential for Saskatchewan to meet its international obligations in food animal disease surveillance."

"In PDS, our core line of business is delivering high quality and timely diagnostic information to the province, the University and veterinary practitioners, and animal owners across Saskatchewan," PDS Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Jonas said. "This upgrade to our information system is a critical component needed for delivery of that service and one that is essential to our operations. We appreciate the recognition of this need from the province and their significant support in providing the solution."

The funding will support a series of initiatives that have been identified in the PDS Information Technology Strategy, including an upgrade of the PDS diagnostic software, the integration and consolidation of the financial software system, the development of e-business web-based client services and the provision of animal health surveillance information to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food.

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For More Information, Contact:

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

Marilyn Jonas Prairie Diagnostic Services Saskatoon Phone: (306) 966-7248