AGRISTABILITY ADMINISTRATION MOVING TO SASKATCHEWAN

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud today announced discussions are underway with the federal government to bring the delivery of AgriStability (formerly known as the CAIS program) home to Saskatchewan. This announcement fulfils a promise set out in the October 2008 Throne Speech.

AgriStability will be administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation head office in Melville and will take advantage of the synergies between the two programs. Transition to provincial delivery of the program will begin in 2010 with processing of applications for the 2009 program year. Details of the transition will be finalized with the federal government over the next few months.

Moving the program administration to Saskatchewan will result in approximately 110 new jobs at the Crop Insurance head office in Melville and 30 new jobs at Crop Insurance offices throughout rural Saskatchewan.

"By joining the AgriStability administration with Crop Insurance in Melville, we will deliver improved service to our producers," Bjornerud said. "This move will provide our producers with a more reliable and responsive program."

Participants can make inquiries regarding the program transition to Crop Insurance at 1-866-270-8450.

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For more information, contact:

Scott Brown
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: scott.brown@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-536-3851