SASKATCHEWAN ACHIEVES POSITIVE OUTCOME AT AGRICULTURE MINISTERS MEETING

Saskatchewan achieved a number of positive outcomes for the province's farmers and agriculture industry at the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting, which concluded today in Winnipeg.

"Our industry has been telling us that the compensation formula under the BSE Recovery Program needed adjustments to make it more effective," Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said. "We are pleased that the federal government and all provinces agreed with industry's viewpoint, and we will be making adjustments to the payment schedule."

In addition to the dialogue regarding the BSE compensation program, Ministers held a thorough discussion of other crucial issues surrounding BSE, including the status of discussions around the opening of borders for the export of Canadian cattle and beef, the implications of the international panel's report, and improvements to an already strong food safety system.

"We also pushed hard to get the federal government to suspend the use of supplemental import permits for beef, and I can report that the federal government is following up on this issue," Serby said.

Ministers also discussed potential enhancements to Canada's animal health and food inspection system. While Canada already has one of the best food safety systems in the world, the international panel's report on Canada's BSE investigation made a number of recommendations for enhancing the system.

"All Ministers agreed that we will respond to the recommendations very shortly," Serby said. "While the integration of the Canada-U.S. cattle industry makes it important to implement the enhancements in co-ordination with our American counterparts, Canada may need to look at domestic-only options to encourage the resumption of international trade."

"The opening of the borders for the export of Canadian cattle and beef remains the highest priority for all governments," Serby said. "All Ministers are committed to working hard toward this end."

Serby also indicated that, while much was accomplished at the meeting, a further meeting will be required in the very near future if the borders have not re-opened to Canadian beef exports.

Ministers also reviewed details for the delivery of the new Business Risk Management Program (the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program, or CAISP), and received an update on World Trade Organization negotiations.

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For More Information, Contact:

Trish Alcorn Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-5389