Saskatchewan has introduced a rebate program to help the livestock sector voluntarily move forward with traceability.
Agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud maintains traceability should be voluntary, but Ottawa and the other provinces have agreed that it be mandatory by 2011.
He said the program will help Saskatchewan stakeholders get ready.
“They’ve said we’ve got to get in the game here,” he said. “We better get prepared.”
The $5 million Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate Program is designed to help all stakeholders buy the required technology. It is cost-shared under Growing Forward.
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“They know we’re doing it,” Bjornerud said of Ottawa’s reaction.
The rebate, announced Oct. 27, will cover 70 percent of eligible costs to buy or lease radio frequency identification handheld and panel readers.
It will also make money available for training, software, installation and facility changes required to use the readers.
Producers of cattle, bison, sheep, goats, hogs and cervids are eligible, as are feedlots, backgrounders, veterinary clinics, meat processors, assembly yards, privately managed community pastures, fairs and exhibitions. The maximum payment is $50,000.
Auction marts qualify for up to $100,000.
“Auction marts for sure we know are going to have a big cost,” Bjornerud said.
The program is retroactive to April 1 and the application deadline is Jan. 31, 2013.
Bjornerud said that should be enough time for the industry to know how traceability is going to work.
Livestock organization leaders applauded the government for the program.
“This type of voluntary program provides cattle producers the opportunity to prepare for the realities facing our industry and ensure that Saskatchewan will not be left behind other jurisdictions as livestock traceability moves forward,” said Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association interim chair Jack Hextall.
