NEWS RELEASE

November 25, 2004                                    For Immediate Release

BREITKREUZ STRESSES NEED FOR AG DISASTER PROGRAM

“It is high time this federal government recognize the plight of producers by designing true disaster relief programs that meet the needs of producers caught in desperate situations beyond their control.”

OTTAWA –Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville, spoke yesterday for every agriculture producer hit by frost this past year, demanding the Liberal government provide disaster assistance before it is too late.

“A cold summer night may be an inconvenience for some but for grain producers sub-zero temperatures in August are a nightmare. In one night bumper crops became worthless fields,” said Breitkreuz during his Parliamentary statement. “No one could have predicted such a natural disaster, but the August 20^th frost that hit Saskatchewan was just that, a disaster.”

On Aug. 20 and again on Sept. 6 of this year, crops across eastern Saskatchewan were hit hard by killing frosts. The devastation was so wide-spread that some rural municipalities are declaring themselves as disaster areas in an effort to trigger federal assistance.

“The CAIS Program is only an income stabilization program – not a disaster relief program,” said Breitkreuz. “Our producers need an avenue of financial support.  It is high time this federal government recognize the plight of producers by designing true disaster relief programs that meet the needs of producers caught in desperate situations beyond their control.

“Mr. Speaker, the 2004 crop has become known among our farmers as the best crop there never was. Without proper support from this government, it may also be their last,” concluded Breitkreuz.

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