Agricultural issues had yet to make the headlines mid-way through the Saskatchewan election campaign.
However, that doesn’t mean producers aren’t thinking about which party best represents their interests.
Earlier this week, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan hosted an event billed as an agricultural dialogue, including representatives from the Saskatchewan Party, New Democratic Party, Saskatchewan Liberal Association, PC Party of Saskatchewan and the Green Party of Saskatchewan.
Coverage of the discussion, called Why Ag Matters, can be found at www.producer.com and in the March 31 issue of The Western Producer.
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APAS issued its own policy recommendations and a list of priority issues for this campaign, as did the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association.
APAS recommendations included:
- strategies to help beginning farmers and assist with succession planning
- better rural infrastructure, including Internet and cellular phone coverage
- more short-line rail
- a provincial strategy to stop the declining livestock herd
- a public review of Growing Forward 2, leading toward GF3
- agricultural exemption from any carbon tax
- improved water management, including compensation for landowners who retain water for public benefit
- updated surface rights legislation
APAS president Norm Hall said many issues are shared provincial and federal responsibilities, both policy-wise and financially. As a result, governmental co-operation is important for agricultural policy that works for everyone.
However, he said making it easier for younger farmers to enter the industry is critical, and strong infrastructure will help that.
“Rural infrastructure is high-speed internet, and it’s roads and hospitals and schools,” Hall said.
“That’s key if we are going to bring our youth in.”
The SCA’s checklist suggests producers ask candidates if they publicly support ratification of the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the benefits of trade agreements that increase access for agricultural products.
The organization wants the pilot Western Livestock Price Insurance Program to be made permanent, government financial support for the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence and assurance that producers won’t bear all the costs of traceability.
The SCA also wants a commitment from the provincial government to properly address predation and wildlife issues and land access issues.
The stock growers association released a list of 18 questions for candidates, leading off with their parties’ view of the economic and cultural significance of the cattle industry to the province and country and how they would improve industry competitiveness.
Like the SCA, the SSGA is concerned about TPP and making WLPIP permanent.
Also on the list are how the parties would handle the chronic labour shortage in agriculture and their thoughts on a fire insurance program for grass, a licensed cougar hunting season and the creation of a third-party surface rights advocate office.
