AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MEET IN CALGARY

Released on November 13, 2006

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman will raise a number of issues important to Saskatchewan producers at a meeting of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture on November 14 in Calgary.

"Saskatchewan's position will be clearly advocated on a number of key issues that have significant implications for the province and the agriculture and food industry," Wartman said. "Addressing agriculture issues is an important element of making life better for Saskatchewan families and building a future here for our youth."

Ministers will be discussing the future of business risk management programming, including the recent improvements to the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, a proposed framework for a new Catastrophic Disaster Assistance Program and extending the production insurance program to other commodities. Wartman will bring forward issues of concern – specifically, the affordability of business risk management programs.

"The 60:40 cost share formula for CAIS puts Saskatchewan at a disadvantage," Wartman said. "We have a large agriculture sector relative to our fiscal capacity, and Saskatchewan already contributes more funding per capita for agricultural programming than the federal government or any other province. The proposed 60:40 cost sharing on the proposed Catastrophic Disaster Assistance Program is also not acceptable to Saskatchewan. It should be cost shared similar to the current disaster programs for infrastructure at 90:10."

The federal government's Specified Risk Material (SRM) and feed ban regulations will also be discussed. The proposed new regulations have direct cost and competitiveness implications for Saskatchewan beef slaughter facilities.

"Many smaller processors may have difficulty meeting the proposed new requirements," Wartman said. "The federal government has provided some funding to help the industry develop the infrastructure to dispose of SRMs. However, they again want 60:40 cost sharing. Saskatchewan will be pushing for 100 per cent federal funding."

Ministers will be updated on the proposed National Livestock Traceability System. Wartman will take the position that any new system must have the support and full consultation of the industry before any decisions are made.

Agriculture Ministers will also use the meeting to discuss preparedness measures for a potential avian influenza outbreak, inter-provincial trade agreements and the next generation of agriculture and agri-food policy in Canada.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: 306-787-4031 Email: sbrown@agr.gov.sk.ca