Delegates to the recent Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan annual meeting in Regina have advice for policy makers.
They passed several resolutions calling for changes to farm assistance and other programs.
One recommends that disaster programs such as the excess moisture program be unlinked from other income programs so they aren’t clawed back.
Another suggested that the payments qualify as allowable net sales for AgriInvest contributions because they are considered income under AgriStability.
There is also concern about farmland ownership. Delegates urged the provincial government to keep legislation that restricts foreign ownership and asked to be involved if there are future consultations regarding changes.
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They said farmland is a strategic resource and Canada must keep its right to limit foreign ownership.
APAS also delved into the issue of child care, requesting that the funding announced in the fall election campaign for 2,000 new day-care spaces be extended into predictable, multi-year funding and that rural areas be allocated an adequate share of those spaces.
Delegates also addressed production concerns.
They want the Canadian Grain Commission to fast track development of reliable machines to test falling number in wheat and make them usable at commercial elevators and farms. They urged all levels of government to co-ordinate efforts to stop the spread of clubroot in canola.
APAS wants a provincial meat strategy that would be developed in consultation with industry to support processing and interprovincial movement of meat products. Delegates also said a new meat hygiene standard has not reduced regulatory barriers to interprovincial movement. They want the federal government to revise the standard.
