(Alice McFarlane/farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan Budget 2019

Budget gets positive response from rural sector.

Mar 20, 2019 | 4:59 PM

Farm groups have found little to complain about in the provincial budget announced this afternoon.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is pleased with the $10 million increase for revenue sharing.

SARM President Ray Orb said the money helps rural communities.

“We are particularly enthused about the announcement for municipal revenue sharing. We didn’t know what the formula was now we know the number is about $71 million,” Orb said. “We are also pleased there has been an increase in the Pest Biosecurity program in particular rat control.”

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Orb said he is satisfied the Municipal Roads for the Economy Program will once again maintain funding at $14 million.

The ministry of agriculture`s budget increased three per cent. Saskatchewan Agriculture minister David Marit said it shows the government’s commitment to agriculture.

“When you see increases in crop insurance and fully funding AgriStability and AgriInvest it’s something we’re committed to,” Marit said. “When I saw the numbers over the previous years on the rat population and control and to see it coming down and not only that but the commitment from the municipalities on the funding side and with the pest control officers we looked at restoring that funding. We want to continue to see a reduction in the rat population.”

Saskatchewan Cattlemen`s Association past chair Ryan Beierbach was happy with the budget.

“No new tax increases which is really good,” Beierbach said. “We saw a little bit of an increase in the funding for crop insurance and we heard about some changes they`re planning to make increasing the coverage on pastures and hay land. That’s something we have been looking for for a while.”

Beierbach said it was good to hear about the government`s decision to increase funding to mental health.

“Things that are important to us, infrastructure, education, health and business risk management programs are all seeing a bit of an increase in funding so from a high level view that looks positive,” Beierbach said.

Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan president, Todd Lewis, said he was pleased the government listened to producer groups and reinstated funding for the rat control program.

“We are pleased to see that the Provincial Budget preserves the programs that producers rely on, like crop insurance and agricultural research,” Lewis said. “Our members feel strongly that we need to continue a thorough review of business risk management programs to ensure that our producers, and the economy as a whole, are protected from unexpected economic or production problems.”

Daryl Fransoo is a director with the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association.

“All we ask for as farmers is to have regulations in place to remain competitive in a global environment,” Fransoo said. “That’s all we’re looking for from government is to fight for us and have the proper rules in place.”

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF