SUPPORT FOR CATTLE INDUSTRY TOPS CALVERT'S WPC AGENDA

Federal help for the cattle industry and food safety are Premier Lorne Calvert's lead agenda items at the Western Premiers Conference next week.

"I will be asking western premiers to support our call for effective federal compensation measures for those financially affected by BSE," Calvert said. "I will also ask western premiers to show their full confidence in the Canadian cattle industry and food safety system as it deals with the discovery of BSE in one cow."

Saskatchewan is the second largest cattle-producing province in Canada. The industry generated farm sales of over $1 billion and export sales of approximately $445 million last year. The province is also responsible for more than 21 per cent of Canada's live cattle exports to the U.S.

"The financial institutions that support the beef industry need a strong signal on compensation from government next week if they are to continue to support the nation's feedlots and rendering plants during the current cash crunch," Calvert said.

Calvert added that Saskatchewan needs the federal government to continue to do all it can to get the U.S. border open to Canadian cattle exports.

Other priorities for Premier Calvert at the conference are Canada-U.S. relations, and improved federal-provincial relations.

Premiers from Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon will be meeting in Kelowna, June 8th-10th.

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