No Attention Paid to the Livestock Crisis in The Federal Budget

February 28, 2009

No Attention Paid to the Livestock Crisis in The Federal Budget 

SARM was disappointed that the 2009 Federal Budget didn’t hold any immediate assistance for the livestock industry. 

Livestock producers have been facing economic hardship since 2003 and the current economic downturn is only adding to that hardship.  SARM highlighted the crisis in a letter provided to Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on January 8th, 2009 in which SARM encouraged the Federal Government to consider providing financial assistance to the livestock industry.

SARM President David Marit said, “We suggested that assistance could be provided to producers through the Agri-Stability program if some allowances were made to permit those producers not currently enrolled in Agri-Stability to participate.  The program should accommodate both the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 years.” 

SARM is aware there was mention in the budget of new funding for a program called Agri-Flexibility but there is no indication that this program will assist the livestock sector.  SARM agrees that a long-term solution to such economic crises is warranted but without any assurances in the budget for immediate assistance for the livestock industry it will continue to crumble.   

“We can’t afford to wait a year or two for new programs to be determined – we are concerned that without financial assistance we could lose a good part of the livestock industry”, concluded Marit.