WHEREAS the Provincial and Federal Governments are pursuing the disposal of lands currently used as Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) pastures in Saskatchewan; and

WHEREAS rural Saskatchewan residents are concerned with the impact the dispersal of these lands will have on rural Saskatchewan including:
1. Prohibiting opportunities for existing and starting cattle operations; and
2. Restrictive and/or costly gravel resource procurement for local governments; and

WHEREAS committees have been struck to comment on the process for the dispersal of PFRA land;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial and Federal Governments to support proposals provided by the retention committees on behalf of their rural municipalities in consideration prior to any dispersal of the PFRA lands.

Response from Honourable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture:

Patrons of federal community pastures are the priority for the Saskatchewan government. The government is implementing recommendations from the Canada Pasture Program Transition Advisory Committee as the following foundational principles:
• Pasture patron groups will have the opportunity to own/lease each pasture;
• Each pasture will be maintained as a complete block;
• Any sales will be based on market value; and
• Any sale of native prairie land will be subject to no-break and no-drain
conservation easements.

The government recognizes positive contributions made by rural municipalities throughout this transition and will maintain current policies regarding opportunities for local governments to access gravel. The interests of rural municipalities will continue to be taken into consideration as the government works with patron groups to move forward on this transition.