2006-06-27
Author: AM 1250/Mix 96 News
The country's agriculture ministers wrapped up their annual summer conference Tuesday  in St. John's, Newfoundland.  As expected Federal Agriculture Minister Chuck Strahl made several announcements in regards to disaster relief programming and changes to CAIS.  The feds and provinces agreed to launch a catastrophic disaster relief program separate from current agricultural income stabilization initiatives.  Strahl says currently disasters are dealt with by CAIS and other ad hoc programs that are unpredictable and slow to respond.  The new program will have dedicated funds and clearly defined parameters.  Federal officials will have a framework developed by the fall.  Strahl notes the country's ag ministers also agreed to take steps to implement a new margin based approach for income stabilization.  He stresses the new system will have real changes that will mean real benefits for producers.