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Election Timing Could Be Better

September 09, 2008

Timing could be better, but agricultural producers are eager for answers.

While not thrilled with the timing of the call for an October 14 Federal Election, members of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) look forward to the next 33 days to question all federal parties on important issues that impact agriculture.

“Some farmers may not get the opportunity to fully participate in this process.” said APAS President Glenn Blakley. “With the late spring and the massive investment producers have in the ground, Prairie farmers are busy harvesting. As the election campaigns heat up and September turns to October, Saskatchewan farmers are likely even more focused on getting the crop in the bin and seeding their fall crops.”

APAS urges its members and all agricultural producers to demand clear and concise answers from all candidates regarding issues that impact the future of the family farm, including:

·       Rising input costs, specifically fuel, fertilizer and chemicals

·       A full and transparent grain transportation costing review.

·       CFIA and Agri-Food Canada regulations and strategies to improve Canada’s livestock producers’ competitiveness with the US and other developed nations.

·       Environmental policies and potential solutions, such as an Ecological Goods & Services payment (EG&S), responsible stewardship of the land and a National Carbon-Trading mechanism.

“Food security and safety are also obviously important issues for consumers in this election,” continued Blakley. “Canadian producers raise safe, healthy, high-quality food and we expect that the industries and agencies responsible for processing and marketing our products have the same respect we do for Canadian consumers.”

APAS serves as the united voice for agriculture in Saskatchewan. The mission of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is to improve the economic well-being of Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers, and to support viable rural communities and infrastructure through lobbying for progressive agricultural policies. APAS envisions a future where agriculture is profitable, rural communities are viable and the role of agriculture in society is recognized and appreciated.

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