Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers of Agriculture

Regina, February 9, 2001 -- At an emergency meeting in Regina today, provincial agriculture ministers present, agreed to ask the federal government to join the efforts made by provincial governments to alleviate the critical situation in the agricultural sector.  This aid must be made available without delay and must be flexible enough to take into account the strategy developed by the ministers today to meet the acute needs of farmers. 

The ministers outlined the difficulties faced by farming operations in each province in terms of low prices, high costs as well as agro-environmental issues, food safety and adaptation of the agricultural sector to the new economic realities. 

The provinces have already set up mechanisms and invested large sums to support agricultural producers.  The ministers expressed their determination to maintain existing  long-term commitments. It is now up to the federal government to fulfill its responsibilities and immediately invest accordingly to address this urgent situation. Provinces agreed to work with the federal government to prepare a framework that is predictable in the long term, effective and fair to all provinces.  This framework will take  into account a number of factors including the specific features and needs of each of the provinces and the relative economic importance of their agricultural sector in Canada. 

The ministers hold that integrated risk management in agriculture will require a joint response.  This means a substantial contribution from Ottawa.  While this urgent situation is occurring in the provinces, the additional funds required are in Ottawa. 

The ministers expect a positive response from the federal government at the next federal-provincial-territorial meeting to be held in Quebec City on March 6 and 7, 2001. 

Ministers present at Regina include Saskatchewan, Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta.

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For further information, contact: 

Anna Arneson
Media Services, Government of Saskatchewan
(306) 787-0850