Farm-Scape is sponsored by Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork Play Audio Farm-Scape is a Wonderworks Canada production and is distributed courtesy of Manitoba Pork Council and Sask Pork.

Farm-Scape, Episode 1426

Alberta Pork says proposed changes to the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program should make it more responsive in easing the financial impact of BSE on livestock producers.

Last month Alberta's pork producers asked the provincial government to provide a payment of 16 dollars per market hog to help offset the economic hurt being caused by BSE.

Citing agreements among provincial agriculture ministers to end ad hoc assistance and concerns over the potential risk of US trade action in response to a per head subsidy, the province rejected that request.

Alberta Pork General Manager Ed Schultz says, although the details of the new CAIS program are not final, anticipated changes are expected to enhance its effectiveness in addressing BSE.

"It's still a proposed system being discussed by the various provincial leaders but negative margin coverage is going to be included which makes it more attractive than the old setup and the old CAIS approach so that should help.

The other thing is accrual adjustments, or some options for inventory adjustments, that are going to be included should also help and they're going to raise the payment cap. That apparently has already been confirmed as a positive.

There are enhancements and improvements that, once they're finalized and once they're agreed to and once amendment agreements have been signed by the governments, should make the new CAIS program much improved".

Schultz says pork producers are encouraged by the amendments being considered to improve the CAIS program but he doubts anything will fully mitigate the impact of BSE.

He says it is disappointing there was no provincial BSE impact aid for pork producers and there is concern with the equity of the approach considering all livestock operators are affected, not just beef producers.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.