SASKATCHEWAN ANNOUNCES FURTHER BSE ASSISTANCE

The Government of Saskatchewan has unveiled an assistance package that will provide $20 million to extend the BSE recovery program and $20.8 million to support loans and cash advances.

"I will not stand by and let Saskatchewan producers go under because the federal government refuses to provide the support necessary to get our livestock industry through this crisis," Premier Lorne Calvert said. "Today I am sending the federal government an invoice for $12 million for their share of the program and Minister Serby will be discussing the need for additional federal support at a meeting of Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Agriculture on September 22nd."

In total, the package of programs will enable producers to access $20 million in compensation for the balance of slaughter cattle on feed as of May 20th, 2003, and make available through financial institutions access to $140 million split between a loan program for cows and cash advance programs for backgrounders and calves. Assistance for sheep, goats, bison and domestic game farm animals will also be available.

Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said that providing this additional support will help carry the provincial livestock industry through the coming winter months.

"The U.S. border is partially open, and we have every expectation it will open to young live animals before the end of the year," Serby said. "But our producers need some help to ensure they have cash flow until the border opens further."

Serby said that the compensation program for the balance of the cattle on feed as of May 20th, when the single case of BSE was discovered in Alberta, addresses the serious inequity that occurred when the federal government ended the BSE Recovery Program as of August 17th.

"BSE is a national issue, and our national government should be part of the solution to the very serious problems facing the industry across the country," Calvert said. "As a province, we want, and our producers need, the federal government to provide their share of additional BSE assistance."

"The industry has told me that it is important to provide compensation for the remaining cattle on feed – as well as provide mechanisms that enhance cash flow to the rest of the industry. I am confident that our package will address their need."

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-4031