• Media Releases - Current
• Media Releases - Archived
• December 28, 2009
• December 5, 2009
• October 31, 2008
• October 20, 2008
• October 27, 2009
• November 4, 2010 (CFA)
• Nov 5, 2010 (PFL)
• August 26, 2008
• October 26, 2010 (PFL)
• October 26, 2010
• August 18, 2009
• September 13, 2010 Advisory
• September 15, 2010
• July 29, 2008
• July 21, 2008
• July 14, 2008
• August 16, 2010
• Aug 17, 2010
• June 17, 2010
• June 1, 2010
• June 30, 2010
• May 11, 2010
• March 25, 2010
• March 31, 2010 (PFL)
• March 29, 2010
• May 8, 2009
• April 21, 2009
• April 17, 2009
• March 3, 2009
• February 9, 2009
• February 2, 2009
• January 21, 2009
• December 2, 2008
• December 5, 2008
• December 22, 2008
• Newsletters
• Letters & Memos

APAS welcomes reappointment of Saskatchewan MP as Minister of Agriculture.

October 31, 2008 -

(Regina)--The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) today welcomed Prime Minister Stephen Harper's reappointment of Member of Parliament, Gerry Ritz as the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

"On behalf of APAS members and all farmers and ranchers across Saskatchewan, we congratulate Saskatchewan MP Gerry Ritz on his reappointment as Minister of Agriculture. We look forward to meeting with the Minister as soon as possible in order to renew our discussions on a wide range of significant issues,” said Don Connick, President of APAS. “Our province’s producers especially value the Minister’s demonstrated understanding of the province’s agricultural sector and appreciate his recognition of our unique needs."

"Farm groups in Western Canada and across the country are eager to continue their work with Minister Ritz to bring stability to the agriculture sector in this uncertain economic climate," said Greg Marshall, Vice President of APAS. "With an experienced Minister - with deep roots in our province - we'll avoid the time delays that a new appointment may have required."

In the immediate term, the unpredictable nature of market prices has underscored the need for added flexibility in business risk management programs. As well, much work remains on completing details for the new Growing Forward suite of programs, scheduled to begin April 1, 2009.

On environmental issues, farmers are asking the new government to recognize and compensate them for their important role in mitigating the effects of climate change and providing ecological goods and services. Other key issues include a continued call for an investigation into input costs, specifically fuel, fertilizer and chemicals and a full railway cost review.

APAS also looks forward to working with newly appointed ministers in other agriculture-related portfolios, including: Stockwell Day, Minister of International Trade; Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment; Lisa Raitt, Minister of Natural Resources; and Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of National Revenue and Minister of State (Agriculture).

APAS is the province’s general farm organization, formed to provide farmers and ranchers with a democratically elected, grassroots, non-partisan producer organization based on rural municipal boundaries.  As the voice of agriculture in Saskatchewan, APAS represents the views of all agricultural stakeholders in order to form comprehensive policies that benefit all sectors of agriculture.

 -30 -

For more information, please contact:

Nial Kuyek, General Manager – Tel: 306-789-7774 (ext 229) or nkuyek@apas.ca

Don Connick, President – Tel: 306-672-8208 (cell)