http://www.producer.com/free/editorial/news.php?iss=2008-12-25&sec=news&sto=000
Livestock Seeks Budget Help
this document web posted: 2008-12-25
By Sean Pratt
Saskatoon newsroom
Livestock producers should pay close attention to the Jan. 27 federal budget announcement because it could contain a late Christmas present for the ailing sector, says Saskatchewan's finance minister.
During a meeting of federal and provincial finance ministers in Saskatoon last week, Rod Gantefoer reminded his counterparts that the automobile sector isn't the only one floundering.
"We raised the (livestock) issue on behalf of our producers, as I think was important to do. Now we have to wait and see how well we were heard," he said following the meeting.
Gantefoer said there was plenty of discussion about the proposed bailout for the auto industry and he felt obliged to draw attention to the plight of forestry and livestock, two struggling sectors in a Saskatchewan economy that is generally outperforming the rest of the country.
"We want to make sure sectors that are important to our province are not forgotten about," he said.
Two days after the meeting, prime minister Stephen Harper announced that the federal government is contemplating a $20 to $30 billion economic stimulus package for the country, which would include aid for industries such as auto and forestry.
While livestock wasn't mentioned by Harper, it was by federal finance minister Jim Flaherty after he met with his provincial counterparts.
"We had discussions about the forestry sector. That won't surprise anybody because that sector affects many of the provinces. We had discussions also about livestock and discussions also about some of the fisheries issues," he told reporters.
Flaherty said the country was definitely headed for deficit in 2009. Economists say a $30 billion stimulus package would result in a $34 billion deficit, the biggest since 1995-96.
"There are other sectors of the economy with respect to which there are concerns and this is going to grow," he said.
Gantefoer was encouraged that Flaherty mentioned livestock. He hopes it receives another mention in Flaherty's Jan. 27 budget. Gantefoer will be looking for a signal that Ottawa is willing to participate in a support program for the livestock sector, which has suffered economic losses.
That signal could be a dollar amount, a commitment to build a livestock assistance program or enhancements to the AgriStability program.
Manitoba's Keystone Agricultural Producers has called on Flaherty to expand a tax deferral program for drought-afflicted livestock producers to include those who experienced flooding this past season. Eligible producers are given a one-year tax deferral on income from the sale of breeding stock.
"Producers were hit hard by flooding in the Interlake and other areas and they deserve the same consideration as producers in drought situations," said KAP president Ian Wishart in a news release.
"The federal government needs to do this before the end of this year."
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has made the livestock crisis its top priority and intends to discuss the matter with provincial livestock organizations to form a collective position to take to government.
Gantefoer said the upcoming budget would be the jumping-off point for a livestock aid program. Provinces would then work with Agriculture Canada and livestock producer groups to hash out the specifics.
Livestock Seeks Budget Help
this document web posted: 2008-12-25
By Sean Pratt
Saskatoon newsroom
Livestock producers should pay close attention to the Jan. 27 federal budget announcement because it could contain a late Christmas present for the ailing sector, says Saskatchewan's finance minister.
During a meeting of federal and provincial finance ministers in Saskatoon last week, Rod Gantefoer reminded his counterparts that the automobile sector isn't the only one floundering.
"We raised the (livestock) issue on behalf of our producers, as I think was important to do. Now we have to wait and see how well we were heard," he said following the meeting.
Gantefoer said there was plenty of discussion about the proposed bailout for the auto industry and he felt obliged to draw attention to the plight of forestry and livestock, two struggling sectors in a Saskatchewan economy that is generally outperforming the rest of the country.
"We want to make sure sectors that are important to our province are not forgotten about," he said.
Two days after the meeting, prime minister Stephen Harper announced that the federal government is contemplating a $20 to $30 billion economic stimulus package for the country, which would include aid for industries such as auto and forestry.
While livestock wasn't mentioned by Harper, it was by federal finance minister Jim Flaherty after he met with his provincial counterparts.
"We had discussions about the forestry sector. That won't surprise anybody because that sector affects many of the provinces. We had discussions also about livestock and discussions also about some of the fisheries issues," he told reporters.
Flaherty said the country was definitely headed for deficit in 2009. Economists say a $30 billion stimulus package would result in a $34 billion deficit, the biggest since 1995-96.
"There are other sectors of the economy with respect to which there are concerns and this is going to grow," he said.
Gantefoer was encouraged that Flaherty mentioned livestock. He hopes it receives another mention in Flaherty's Jan. 27 budget. Gantefoer will be looking for a signal that Ottawa is willing to participate in a support program for the livestock sector, which has suffered economic losses.
That signal could be a dollar amount, a commitment to build a livestock assistance program or enhancements to the AgriStability program.
Manitoba's Keystone Agricultural Producers has called on Flaherty to expand a tax deferral program for drought-afflicted livestock producers to include those who experienced flooding this past season. Eligible producers are given a one-year tax deferral on income from the sale of breeding stock.
"Producers were hit hard by flooding in the Interlake and other areas and they deserve the same consideration as producers in drought situations," said KAP president Ian Wishart in a news release.
"The federal government needs to do this before the end of this year."
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has made the livestock crisis its top priority and intends to discuss the matter with provincial livestock organizations to form a collective position to take to government.
Gantefoer said the upcoming budget would be the jumping-off point for a livestock aid program. Provinces would then work with Agriculture Canada and livestock producer groups to hash out the specifics.