By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture ministers could meet again to discuss AgriStability

Jan 21, 2021 | 4:43 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – The federal agriculture minister is pushing Saskatchewan to support proposed enhancements to the program.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said he is concerned about the cost and is asking for another meeting of federal-provincial agriculture ministers to discuss the issue.

Marie-Claude Bibeau said she is willing to hold another meeting to discuss the AgriStability farm support program.

“I’m always open and happy to have meetings with my counterparts. Actually, we met 21 times last year because of the COVID-19 context and our hope to make improvements to AgriStability,” she said.

Bibeau added the meeting could happen in a couple of weeks.

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“If it’s necessary for us to move forward and proceed with the improvements to AgriStability, I’ll make it happen as soon as possible,” she said.

Bibeau added time is an important factor if the changes are to made retroactive to 2020. She said getting an agreement done quickly is important in order to make the necessary administrative adjustments.

“The further away we get from 2020 the more complicated it will be,” Bibeau said. “I’m waiting for the provinces to see if they are willing to make the improvements and are willing to do it retroactively or only starting in 2021.”

Ottawa’s offer includes the removal of the reference margin limit and increase the compensation rate from 70 per cent to 80 per cent.

Saskatchewan is concerned about the cost and wants adjustment to the usual 60-40 cost share.

Saskatchewan Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy Paul Johnson said the province is still considering the federal proposal.

“We will respond as soon as we are able and as soon as we are ready to do that,” Johnson said. “It’s not just Saskatchewan. A number of other provinces haven’t responded as well.”

Johnson said the federal minister wants a response by the end of January.

“I’m not sure if we will be able to do that if we will be finished our work. Also recognizing the AgriStability deadline for 2021 for producers to enroll is coming up. It will be well in advance of the AgriStability deadline.”

Johnson said Marit sent a formal letter to Bibeau on Jan. 14 requesting a meeting with all agriculture ministers.

“That’s when further discussion will take place and that will be the pathway towards decision making not just for Saskatchewan but for a number of other jurisdictions,” Johnson said.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF