Agriculture Forum 2008 was the venue chosen for an important announcement that will have a favourable impact on many area farmers.

My annual forum was held in Yorkton on April 11, with more than 200 producers attending from throughout the area. Many were delighted to hear from the Hon. Gerry Ritz, our federal Minister of Agriculture & Agri-food and Minister of the Canadian Wheat Board. He announced that the deadline for the 2007 and 2008 Cover Crop Protection Program (CCPP) has been extended to June 30, 2008. The original deadline for claims of October 31, 2007 prompted numerous calls to my office from farmers, particularly in the wet northern portion of my riding. Producers believed that the original deadline was unfair, and they were absolutely right.

I passed that message along frequently to Minister Ritz through letters and conversations since last fall, and he made that change. Producers who filed their 2007 CCPP declaration forms late need not take any further action – a decision will be issued when your file has been processed. Farmers who missed the deadline and did not submit their declaration form will be contacted by Agriculture Canada.

The minister also announced that the 2008 CCPP declaration deadline has already been moved ahead from October 31 to November 30 this year. He recognizes that farmers are not available to fill out paperwork during the busiest time of the year, so the deadline has been set for after the harvest. This is yet another example of the federal government listening to the people, rather than catering to bureaucrats.

Minister Ritz also provided an update at the Gallagher Centre on our government’s progress and plans for the agriculture industry. His discussion included the railway service review, AgriStability, the crisis facing cattle and pork producers, and the government commitment to allow farmers to market their own barley. Minister Ritz encouraged questions and advice from the audience, and he took several written questions with him for reply later on.

Unfortunately, the other guest speaker at Agriculture Form 2008 couldn’t join us. Agriculture economist Dr. David Kohl was grounded when his flight was among the 900 cancelled in the United States for mechanical reasons on April 10. In his absence and on very short notice, Glenn Blakley, President of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan rose to the occasion and provided an informative presentation on local issues.

Agriculture Forum 2008 will be replayed across Canada on CPAC, Canada’s Parliamentary Channel, in the upcoming weeks. We record the event every year for those who were not able to attend, and to educate our city cousins on the challenges facing our farmers. Please check my web site at www.garrybreitkreuz.com for broadcast dates and times.

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