APAS calls on governments for 'rapid response'.
June 17, 2010
(Regina) The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is calling on federal and provincial governments to provide timely assistance to farmers, ranchers and rural communities affected by this year's excessive moisture. APAS is also calling on the Ministers to kick start the first step in implementation of AgriRecovery through the appointment of a task team.
AgriRecovery was created to provide a process to enable governments to "respond quickly" when a natural disaster hits and addresses gaps left by existing programs. The program is designed to provide a "rapid financial response" to assist with immediate recovery from a disaster situation and to help producers quickly resume business operations after a disaster.
"If there was ever a time when this program was legitimately needed , that time is now," stated Greg Marshall, APAS President. "With the excessive moisture conditions that have affected seeding in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, the widespread feeling amongst farmers and ranchers is that 2010 proves that current programs and coverage are woefully inadequate."
APAS issued these calls following a meeting of the APAS' Board of Directors this week in Regina. The Board assessed the excess moisture situation throughout the province and met with the Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Saskatchewan Minister of Agriculture. Based upon discussions with the Minister and this week's tour by Premier Wall and Minister Bjornerud, the APAS Board is confident that provincial decision-makers are well aware of the disastrous situation facing farmers and ranchers throughout the province.
"We believe that the AgriRecovery Task Team must be activated immediately to assess the extent of the damage affecting unseeded acres, crop establishment and livestock production and to develop options and recommendations for response. APAS is eager to participate on the task team to represent the interests of all farmers and ranchers in the province," Marshall continued. " Any program response through AgriRecovery must be province-wide and be available to assist both crop and livestock producers."
Farm Income was projected down over 50% in Saskatchewan over last year, " reminded Marshall, referring to an Agriculture Canada release in early May of this year. "Farmers were told that they might break-even if they could deliver an average yield. Well its clear now that it won't be close to average this year. We appreciate the governments' commitment to fostering long term industry strategies, but Saskatchewan farm families need immediate support ."
Click HERE for more information about the AgriRecovery Program.-30-
For more information, please contact:
Greg Marshall, APAS President
Office: 306-789 7774 (ext 151)
Cell: 306-789-7774 (ext 211)
To print - CLICK HERE
APAS Commends Governments on the announcement of the Excess Moisture Program
July 9, 2010
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan commends the federal and provincial governments for the quick response and action in assistance to producers who were unable to seed or have lost seeded crop due to flooding.“Saskatchewan producers who have been struggling with excess moisture conditions welcome this assistance,” said APAS President Greg Marshall. “Existing safety net programs were never designed to deal with a disaster of this magnitude and scope. This assistance is appreciated and should be viewed as a strategic investment in an industry that is very important to Canada both domestically and as a trade generator.”Marshall congratulated the Agriculture Ministers on the quickness of this announcement and in their recognition of the severity of the situation. “AgriRecovery was designed to provide a rapid financial response to assist with immediate recovery from a disaster situation and this announcement certainly meets that objective,” Marshall said. “This program will provide producers with meaningful assistance in a time effective manner. The program has been designed to be transparent and relatively simple to administer and those are good features.”“While the $30 per acre may not cover the cost of production and will not replace a profitable crop, this is a significant commitment from governments,” Marshall stated. “Cash-strapped farmers now know the assistance that they can count on from governments. This assistance and the timing of it will enable farmers to plan their farming and financial operations for the remainder of this crop year as well as 2011 and that is important.”While this announcement addresses the needs of grains and oilseed producers, APAS is concerned that forage and livestock producers appear to have been left out. Both forage and livestock production has been affected by the excess moisture conditions. APAS will be in further communication with both levels of government to seek additional measures to assist forage and livestock producers, Marshall concluded.