PROVINCE ANNOUNCES REVIEW OF CROP INSURANCE

Agriculture Minister and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation Bob Bjornerud today launched the review of the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance program.

The project will focus on ways to improve the crop insurance program for farmers. Meyers Norris Penny has been contracted to carry out the review.

"I said during our budget announcement that we need to fix programs so they work for farmers instead of providing band-aid solutions," Bjornerud said. "We are fulfilling our election promise to undertake a review of the program and obtain the information we need to make effective changes."

The review will include extensive consultations with farmers and research into production insurance programs in other jurisdictions. A toll-free telephone line 1-866-622-CROP and website www.skcropinsurancereview.ca will be launched to help engage Saskatchewan producers in the review. Details on how farmers and industry can become involved in the review will be made available as they are finalized.

"Farmers will play an important role in this process," Bjornerud said. "Their feedback and the feedback from farm organizations will be integral to ensuring the review reflects the needs of all Saskatchewan producers."

A review of the Wildlife Damage Compensation (WDC) program will also take place in conjunction with the Crop Insurance review. WDC is a program funded by governments to compensate producers for crop and feed losses due to waterfowl and big game.

The review process will begin immediately and will be completed in the fall of 2008. Recommendations from the review will be considered for the 2009 program.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.robertson@gov.sk.ca