MARCH 11-17 PROCLAIMED AGRICULTURAL SAFETY WEEK IN SASKATCHEWAN

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud and Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan have proclaimed March 11-17 as Agricultural Safety Week in Saskatchewan.

The 2012 theme emphasizes "Safety" and the continued development of safety protocols on farms. This year completes the three-year Canadian Agricultural Safety Association campaign "Plan • Farm • Safety".

"Our farm and ranch families play a vital role in our province and economy," Bjornerud said. "Farmers and ranchers face various hazards by nature of their work and it is important to recognize the dangers and take the steps necessary to be safe."

Saskatchewan Agriculture provides funding to the Agriculture Health and Safety Network, an affiliation of the Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture (CCHSA) to deliver safety initiatives and services for farm and ranch families. More than 200 rural municipalities also contribute funding to these projects. Saskatchewan Agriculture is also providing $90,000 to the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions over the next three years for youth Farm Safety Day camps.

"The safety of Saskatchewan farm and ranch families is a priority for our government," Morgan said. "Agricultural Safety Week is about raising awareness to help prevent farm accidents and injuries."

Agricultural Safety Week is held in conjunction with Canadian Agricultural Safety Week, which is sponsored by the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA), the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), Farm Credit Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Agricultural Safety Week is supported by many agricultural organizations within the province, including the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS), Farmers with Disabilities Program of the Saskatchewan Abilities Council and the Saskatchewan Alliance for Safety and Health in Agriculture (SASHA).

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For more information, contact:

Patrick Boyle
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: Patrick.Boyle@gov.sk.ca

Shannon McMillan
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1331