I am writing in response to a recent article published in the June 23 edition of the Humboldt Journal regarding the provincial government's response to flooded farmland and unseeded acres.First, I want to stress farm and ranch families are a top priority for our Saskatchewan Party Government. Agriculture is the backbone of our province and continues to be a main economic driver, especially in rural communities.To that end, our government recognizes the challenges and difficulties facing producers with unseeded and flooded acres. I have toured many areas of the province, along with Premier Brad Wall and other MLAs, to see the wet conditions first-hand. During our tours, we met with many farmers and RM representatives to gain a better understanding of the situation.Crop Insurance customers are eligible for an unseeded acreage benefit of up to $50 per eligible acre, and also have coverage for seeded land that has been flooded out. Crop Insurance will work to process claims as soon as possible to assist producers, with payments going out by mid-July. Producers can also apply for an Interim Advance Payment through AgriStability. This option allows participants to access up to 50 per cent of their estimated final AgriStability benefit.We have also been in discussions with Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz regarding options for additional support for our producers. Crop Insurance customers were asked to submit their seeded acreage reports to Crop Insurance by June 25. Once this information is entered into the system we will have a better assessment of the situation and can make a decision regarding additional support. In regard to the ongoing comments by NDP leader Dwain Lingenfelter on the need for an immediate $100 per acre payment, the opposition is once again playing politics on the backs of farmers. These are the same farmers the former NDP government neglected for 16 years. In 2006, when farmers were facing flood challenges, the NDP would not commit to any additional support until mid-summer, long after the damage had been done. That payment was only $10 per acre. Additionally, in 2005 and 2007 when farmers were facing the same flooding challenges, the NDP government refused to provide any additional support. Given their track record in rural Saskatchewan, it is absolutely hypocritical for the NDP opposition to criticize our government's actions.I can assure producers the disaster situation facing many areas of the province is a top priority for our Saskatchewan Party Government. We recognize the challenges facing both farm families and rural communities and are working diligently to help address these issues.
