January 14, 2008

Canada provides financial aid to Saskatchewan pig farmers

Canada has recently approved a targeted advance programme (TAP) for pig farmers in Saskatchewan under the AgriStability programme.

TAP will allow the government to provide pig producers 60 percent of their estimated 2007 benefit under AgriStability, replacing the Canadian Ag Income Stabilization (CAIS) programme's coverage for margin declines of over 15 percent.

Farmers will be notified by a letter starting on January 21, detailing the amount they can avail. The amount will be based on information already submitted to the AgriStability program administration, relating to a farmer's 2006 CAIS application.

Provincial governments can also request federal approval for TAPs to address extreme market conditions such as price collapse where the entire industry or sector is severely affected.