As I travel around Yorkton-Melville talking with farmers and agri-food specialists, I am hearing more and more that the federal government is finally getting it right.

Since this government took office, we have created a host of programs and initiatives in agriculture and agri-foods. One such new program, known as the Cost of Production Payment (COPP) program, required a pay-out based on percentages to ensure the program stays within budget.

I am happy to report that much progress is being made as we work toward replacing the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, thanks to the cooperation between the federal government and the provinces. More details for the Growing Forward program were recently announced to improve Canada’s new agriculture policy framework. Growing Forward includes the four key components of AgriInvest, AgriStability, AgriRecovery and AgriInsurance.

It is important to note that producers who have not been enrolled in CAIS and want to participate in AgriStability must call 1-866-367-8506 before December 31, 2007.

While we are looking forward to replacing the CAIS program, it is a government priority to protect Canadian producers in the short-term. Existing Agricultural Policy Framework programs will stay in place for up to one year while we implement these and other new Growing Forward programs.

In addition, our government understands the pressures facing our livestock producers and we are working to help them get through these tough times. We are working with industry on an action plan to speed up access to existing programs and ensure the long-term profitability of our cattle and hog producers.

This government also remains committed to marketing choice for western Canadian barley producers. Despite the legal challenge put forward by the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) and the subsequent federal court decision, there is no denying the choice of barley producers. Farmers spoke clearly in a plebiscite held earlier this year, when 62 percent of barley producers voted for change in the marketing of their crop.

We garnered the ongoing support from the member groups of the Grain Growers of Canada. We now have support from the Malting Industry Association of Canada for choice in barley marketing on August 1, 2008 due to an inability to reach a fair agreement with the CWB.

The CWB dictates how much and when farmers may sell their barley. That interference resulted in the sharp drop in prices when barley marketing choice was swept off the table.

Our government has made a commitment to appeal the federal court decision that favoured the CWB barley marketing monopoly. We have received many calls and letters from barley producers who were very upset after the court ruled against them. It would appear this issue is far from over.

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