Public consultations on ag policy coming to Saskatchewan

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Anybody interested in giving their views on future agricultural policy will get their chance at public consultations being held in the province in early February.

The next generation consultations are being held across the country, and all interested stakeholders are being invited to provide their input during these important meetings.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is handling the sessions in co-operation with provincial governments. The stated objective is to work with stakeholders to develop the next generation of agriculture and agri-food policy.

The current Agricultural Policy Framework was developed by the two levels of government in 2003. Its current provisions are set to expire in 2008.

In Saskatchewan, public consultations will take place on February 5 in Swift Current, February 6 in Regina, February 7 in Yorkton, and February 9 in North Battleford. Those interested in attending any of these sessions are asked to pre-register.� Registration can be done online at www.agr.gc.ca/nextgen.

Paul Johnson with Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) is a member of the federal-provincial committee that designed the consultative process. He noted, This is a national process, and Saskatchewan is only one part it.� It�s important that Saskatchewan stakeholders get out and voice their opinions. This process is an excellent forum for providing input into the future of agricultural policy in this country.

Johnson urges all interested parties to give some thought as to how agriculture policy should look, specifically from a Saskatchewan point of view. He says that the results of these consultations, once combined with results from similar sessions across Canada, will become part of future federal-provincial negotiations on the new Agricultural Policy Framework.

Take an active interest, because it will have an impact, Johnson said. I urge stakeholders to register early�as the sessions will be full�and to take the time to learn as much as they can about the nature of the Agricultural Policy Framework.

In addition to the consultative meetings, the public can submit comments to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada using the www.agr.gc.ca/nextgen website, or by mail to 930 Carling Avenue, Room 833, Ottawa, Ontario; K1A 0C7.� Also available on the website are background policy documents and other information that may be of interest. �Hard copies of this material can be requested by calling 1-800-622-6232.

Following the public consultations, governments will organize invitation-only working sessions with key agricultural groups to focus on analyzing the input received as a way of guiding future policy development.

For more information, contact:
Paul Johnson, Manager, Economic and Commodity Analysis
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
Phone: (306) 787-5882
E-mail: pjohnson@agr.gov.sk.ca