By Alice McFarlane

Federal leadership needed to support Canada’s agricultural sector, says APAS

Aug 17, 2021 | 2:37 PM

MELFORT, Sask. — The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) wants the federal parties to make election commitments to fix several issues farmers are facing.

APAS vice-president Ian Boxall said poor cellular coverage and inadequate high-speed internet access in rural areas needs to be addressed.

“APAS created a rural conductivity taskforce. We laid out a bunch of questions we want to see results on,” Boxall said. “It’s time the (federal) government, who has put out ambitious targets to increase rural conductivity, address those timelines.”

Boxall said Saskatchewan producers need a government that supports the next generation of producers with responsive agricultural programs.

“We need to ensure these programs work for every sector in every region. Once we get over that hurdle enrollment in these programs is going to increase which is going to put more demand for funds,” he said.

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Farmers have been asking Ottawa to recognize the work they have already done to address climate change. Boxall said farmers are the biggest stewards of the land and care about the environment more than they get credit for.

“We’ve been adapting and changing the way we farm and how we manage our farms for 30 years,” Boxall said. “It’s time that we got acknowledged for what we do. Let’s start there.”

Boxall said then the focus can shift to exemptions for heating barns and greenhouses as well as the fuel used to dry the grain on tough years.

APAS added the federal government needs to make the necessary changes to provide farmers and ranchers with greater market transparency by creating a Canadian export sales reporting program.

Boxall would also like to see improved railway transparency and a full railway costing review, he said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW