SASKATCHEWAN AND MONTANA STRENGTHEN RELATIONSHIP

Under the Saskatchewan-Montana Intergovernmental Accord, a delegation of Montana officials, led by Lieutenant Governor Karl Ohs, is in Regina today to discuss cross-border issues of mutual interest such as agriculture, transportation and economic development.

"Today we identified a number of areas for future collaboration between Saskatchewan and Montana," Government Relations Minister Len Taylor said. "We also discussed a range of issues of mutual concern, including the importance of a collaborative North American approach to addressing Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)."

"Many of the issues we discussed today are national in nature, yet many of the solutions will be found at the local level as a result of these types of discussions," Lieutenant Governor Ohs said. "We welcome this opportunity to continue this dialogue with our Saskatchewan counterparts and are looking forward to welcoming them to Montana."

Saskatchewan and Montana have agreed to work together on such issues as animal health and safety, transport regulations, energy, research and development - possibly involving the Synchrotron in Saskatoon, and trade.

The U.S. is Saskatchewan's largest international trading partner, and Montana is one of 37 U.S. states that count Canada as their most important export destination. In that context , Ohs and Taylor also discussed the prospects for resolving bilateral trade constraints, such as disputes involving wheat, live swine and softwood lumber and certain aspects of the U.S. Farm Bill and border security, for mutual benefit.

The next meeting under the Accord is expected to be held in Montana in 2005.

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For More Information, Contact:

Maureen Boyle Government Relations and Aboriginal Affairs Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959