By Alice McFarlane

Farm group pleased with reappointment of agriculture minister

Nov 10, 2020 | 2:50 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe named his new cabinet following last month’s election.

David Marit has been sworn in once again as minister of agriculture and minister responsible for Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) President Todd Lewis said it was good news for the farming sector.

“I think Mr. Marit has done a good job in the last year and a bit he has been in that portfolio,” Lewis said. “I think it’s important to have continuity.”

Marit is well known across rural Saskatchewan. In addition to his work in cabinet, he served as president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities. Lewis said with all that experience Marit was always a farmer first.

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One of Marit’s first tasks will be to attend the virtual agricultural minister’s meeting later this month where business risk management programs will likely be the main issue.

“We’ll hopefully get some movement or some kind of clarity on AgriStability especially if there is going to be some changes made to it,” Lewis said. “There are two more years left on this plan and what comes out of this meeting will certainly set the stage for negotiations for the new program.”

Less then 30 per cent of farmers are enrolled in AgriStability. Lewis said APAS is looking for the reestablishment of the 85 per cent trigger and removal of the reference margin.

“Agriculture provides a lot to this province. A lot of tax revenue comes out of agriculture. So I think it’s time to put some extra money in the pot,” Lewis said. “I look forward to working with him over the next few years.”

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF