PROVINCE INTRODUCES CHANGES TO PEST CONTROL PROGRAM

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food has transferred the administration of the grants associated with the Agricultural Fieldworker Program to the Provincial Council of Agriculture Development and Diversification Boards (PCAB).

Saskatchewan began a co-ordinated pest control program with the introduction of the Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Fieldworker Policy in 1972.  Grants are provided through the Fieldworker Policy to the Agriculture Development and Diversification boards and rural municipalities (RMs).  Agriculture Development and Diversification boards and RMs work together to co-ordinate control programs at the local level.  Pest control officers, employed by Agriculture Development and Diversification boards and RMs, deliver the program at the field level to help property owners develop effective control methods.  PCAB’s pest control co-ordinators focus on creating a more uniform pest control program in Saskatchewan.

“By taking over responsibility for distributing funding to the individual Agriculture Development and Diversification boards, PCAB will be able to streamline the funding process in order to provide more uniform provincial program delivery,” Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said.  “PCAB will also be able to encourage and ensure more consistent reporting from district Agriculture Development and Diversification boards.”

“PCAB is pleased to take on the administration of the Fieldworker Policy,” PCAB Executive Director Aubrey Eaton said.  “Our goal is to simplify the application process for the Agriculture Development and Diversification boards as well as improve communications within the pest control program.”

Under the terms of the new agreement, PCAB receives $540,000 from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food for the 2007-08 fiscal year to deliver the Agricultural Fieldworker Program.  Out of that amount, $395,000 is distributed throughout the Agriculture Development and Diversification board system to hire pest control officers.  The remaining money is used to fund provincial pest control co-ordinators, as required, and to undertake educational programs for both farmers and pest control officers on rodent identification and control.

PCAB is a non-profit agricultural organization that focuses on timely, effective delivery of agricultural programs to Saskatchewan producers.  PCAB is committed to working with both government and industry to ensure a co-operative, efficient approach to agricultural program delivery.

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For more information, contact:

Scott Brown
Agriculture and Food
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4031
Email: sbrown.agr.gov.sk.ca 

Aubrey Eaton
PCAB
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-955-5477