THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SASKATCHEWAN HOG PRODUCERS

Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud are jointly implementing the Targeted Advance Payment (TAP) program for Saskatchewan hog producers. Saskatchewan hog producers will be eligible to receive timely payments under the 2007 AgriStability program to help ease economic conditions currently affecting the industry.

AgriStability replaces the coverage available under the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program for margin declines of more than 15 per cent. These advances under AgriStability are being put in place to allow the Province to respond quickly to industry issues and provide timely funding.

"This targeted advance will help us get money into the hands of producers as quickly as possible," Ritz said. "We will continue to support farmers and farm families in Saskatchewan and across the country with programs that are simple, predictable and bankable."

"Help for the hog industry is so desperately needed in this province," Bjornerud said. "I am pleased to be able to work together with the federal government to provide timely assistance to producers."

Eligible producers will be contacted soon and provided with information on the advance amount they may be eligible for. Payments will be made based on 60 per cent of a producer's estimated final payment under AgriStability.

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For more information, contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-759-7972

Todd MacKay
Communications for the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Phone: 613-759-1059

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