PROVINCE FULLY FUNDS 2003 CAIS PROGRAM

The Government of Saskatchewan today announced a one-time, $110 million increase to its share of the 2003 Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program.

Premier Lorne Calvert said the new funds will increase Saskatchewan's CAIS commitment from the $99 million budgeted to $209 million – a recognition of the circumstances facing the province's agricultural producers.

"Saskatchewan producers have faced a series of challenging years," Calvert said. "We believe that fully funding the CAIS program, despite our ongoing concern about the federal-provincial cost sharing formula for business risk management programs, was the best thing we could do to alleviate the hardship being felt by our producers and their families."

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said the funds will go a long way toward addressing the needs of the industry.

"We have always said we would be there for our producers," Wartman said. "The steps we have taken today will improve cash flow for Saskatchewan farm families over the short term. We continue to fight for agricultural programs that are fair, affordable and sustainable for all producers in Canada."

Wartman said that changes to the 60:40 federal-provincial cost sharing formula for CAIS will be one of his main priorities in the new year. Saskatchewan residents now pay more than five times the average provincial per capita commitment and over six times the federal per capita level.

In the meantime, he noted that provincial officials are working with the federal administrators of the CAIS program to get money into farmers' hands as soon as possible.

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For More Information, Contact:

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