DISASTER RELIEF FUNDING TAKES TOP PRIORITY AT AGRICULTURE MINISTERS’ MEETING

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman will press for a fair disaster relief program when he meets with his counterparts at the 2007 Conference of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Agriculture this week.

"The federal government is proposing that small disasters be cost-shared between our two governments in a 60:40 split," Wartman said. "For a province like Saskatchewan, with a large agriculture industry and a small tax base, that means we will pay more than our fair share. That is unacceptable.

"Though in the past we have always paid our 40 per cent for Business Risk Management, it is in no way an acceptance that the funding formula is fair. I will continue to push the issue and work to achieve a fair solution for our province."

Another key item being discussed will be the framework agreement for the next generation of the Agricultural Policy Framework, which takes effect in 2008.

"This meeting provides an opportunity for provinces to come together and really examine how our individual agricultural sectors contribute to the industry as a whole," Wartman said. "The issues discussed are of great importance to Saskatchewan farmers, and I look forward to the next framework agreement."

The conference begins in Whistler, British Columbia on Wednesday, June 27 and concludes on Friday, June 29.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jroberts@agr.gov.sk.ca