MINISTER'S FARM SUPPORT REVIEW COMMITTEE ADVISES ON CAIS TRANSFORMATION

Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman met with the provincial Farm Support Review Committee this week in advance of the upcoming meeting of Canada's Agriculture Ministers.

Wartman wanted to hear the Committee's ideas on how best to transform the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program.

"The Farm Support Review Committee's advice will form the foundation of Saskatchewan's position at the Ministers' meeting," Wartman said. "I appreciate its opinions on how programs are functioning, on what should be changed and on what is workable and realistic."

In March, Canada's Agriculture Ministers agreed unanimously that the CAIS program should be more responsive to the needs of producers. The options developed in the months since for improving business risk management programs, including CAIS, will be discussed at the annual Agriculture Ministers meeting June 26th-29th. Wartman said it will be important to achieve changes that have a real and beneficial impact on the industry.

"We continue to push the federal government to bear a more appropriate share of the cost of risk management programming," Wartman said. "The provincial affordability issue needs to be addressed, and it would be appropriate to do so as we improve existing programming."

"It is important that the views of Saskatchewan farmers are heard as Agriculture Ministers transform CAIS," Farm Support Review Committee Chair Harry Bastness said. "We appreciate the opportunity to provide advice to Minister Wartman to take to the Ministers' meeting at the end of June."

The Farm Support Review Committee provides advice and recommendations to government on business risk management and safety net issues affecting agriculture. Its members include the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, the National Farmers Union, Saskatchewan Cattle Feeders Association, Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association, Western Farm Leadership Co-operative, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, SaskPork and several members at large.

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For More Information, Contact:

Scott Brown Agriculture and Food Regina Phone: (306) 787-4031 Email: sbrown@agr.gov.sk.ca Cell: (306) 536-3851