ANNUAL AGRICULTURE FORUM DRAWS 300 PRODUCERS

YORKTON — Some 300 agriculture producers converged at St. Gerard’s Parish Complex in Yorkton on Friday to attend Garry Breitkreuz’s annual Agriculture Forum.

“Today is truly about sharing information,” said Breitkreuz at the opening of the one-day Forum. “I am happy to be able to provide an outlet where our farmers, and some of our decision-makers and industry leaders are able to meet and discuss what farmers need and what is currently available to them.”

The day’s topics included bio-fuels, Alternative Land Use Services (ALUS), Own Use Imports and the conversion to the Grower Requested Own Use (GROU) program, Environmental Farm Plans and the Canadian Wheat Board. Canada’s Minister of Agriculture & Agri-Food and Minister of the Canadian Wheat Board, Chuck Strahl, started the day’s presentations with a speech and a question-and-answer session with those farmers and producer groups in attendance.

“As many of you may know, I also attended Garry’s Forum last year just after I was named Minister of Agriculture,” said Strahl. “I was able to take back to Ottawa a better understanding of the situation and issues facing this industry, and we were able to make a number of adjustments and program announcements to better assist our farmers.”

Among those attending Friday’s Forum as an audience member was Liberal Agriculture Critic Wayne Easter, who also represents the riding of Malpeque in Prince Edward Island. Easter, who was asked by Breitkreuz to say a few words to the audience, said Friday’s event serves a great purpose in Ottawa.

“Forums like this help make changes and adjustments to programs vital to producers,” said Easter, adding, Breitkreuz’s annual event is second to none in terms of sharing information pertinent to the agriculture industry.

As in previous years, Garry Breitkreuz’s Agriculture Forum will be re-broadcast on the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), providing an opportunity for all Canadians, urban and rural, to understand the challenges faced by today’s farmers and the need to support our agriculture industry.

“I encourage all of you to phone my office or send me letters,” said Breitkreuz during his closing remarks at the end of the Forum. “I will make sure your message gets to Minister Strahl. The easiest way to make changes to federal programs or to announce new programs is to do so knowing exactly what is needed.”

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