APAS expresses cautious optimism on the federal budget

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is looking forward to further information about several agricultural items included in the March 30 budget.

"The federal budget broadly addresses some important agricultural topics that APAS raised during the months leading up to yesterday's announcement," APAS President Ian Boxall said. "However, these announcements are broad commitments, and APAS needs to remain engaged to ensure the details address Saskatchewan producers concerns."

Falling prices in many agricultural commodity markets concern Saskatchewan farmers, given that inputs were purchased at elevated levels last year and haven't followed the same trend as commodity prices in recent months. The $100,000 increase in the Advance Payments Program is positive and appreciated as it will provide additional flexibility. That said, APAS continues to ask the Federal Government for more transparency about what factors are causing price increases and inflation in markets for fertilizer and other key inputs.

Transportation and market access were priorities for APAS going into the pre-budget consultations and are long-term issues. An efficient transportation system is critical for Saskatchewan farm products to reach international markets. The federal budget includes funding for several transportation initiatives, including a new supply-chain office, the collection of more supply-chain data to improve transparency, and a pilot program to provide extended interswitching in western provinces. APAS will work with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture to help ensure Saskatchewan's views are heard on these critical opportunities.

APAS also noted the importance of producer input in addressing other budget commitments such as equipment right to repair, enhanced federal disaster assistance programs, and tax treatment of intergenerational farm business transfers.

"These are all policy issues that APAS members have raised in recent years," APAS President Ian Boxall said. "The devil is always in the details, so APAS and other farm organizations must continue their involvement to ensure Saskatchewan farm families expectations are met. It is also good to see important issues like these, not being ignored by the federal government.”