The Government of Saskatchewan is dedicating an additional $75 million to its share of the 2004 Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to the province’s agriculture industry, and the needs of our producers are a top priority,” Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman said. “With the increased revenues the Province is experiencing in the first quarter thanks to higher oil prices, we are pleased to increase our support to Saskatchewan producers and to once again make a significant investment in Saskatchewan agriculture.”
The new funds will increase Saskatchewan’s CAIS commitment from the $99 million budgeted to $174 million, boosting eligible producers’ payments from their current level of 70 per cent to 100 per cent.
“2004 was a very difficult year for our producers, with the closure of the U.S. border due to BSE, a devastating frost in August, and low commodity prices resulting from the higher Canadian dollar,” Wartman said. “By fully funding CAIS for 2004, we are taking steps to ensure that the short-term cash flow needs of the province’s producers and their families will be met.”
Wartman noted that the Province continues to work with the federal government on changing the current 60:40 federal-provincial cost sharing formula for business risk management programs. Saskatchewan residents now pay nearly 10 times the average provincial per capita commitment and over six times the federal per capita level.
Saskatchewan also fully funded CAIS for the 2003 program year.
“We are proud to show our support for and our commitment to Saskatchewan producers by providing additional dollars under the CAIS program, and by continuing to lobby for agricultural programs that are fair, affordable and sustainable for all producers in Canada,” Wartman said.
With the additional CAIS funding, the Province has invested more than $1.2 billion in support to the agriculture industry in 2004 and 2005.
The Province has asked the federal CAIS administration to pay all remaining 2004 Saskatchewan CAIS claims at the 100 per cent level. Producers who have already been paid at the initial payment level will receive adjustment payments over the next few weeks.
Source: Cattle Network
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