The Saskatchewan New Democrats are calling on the Saskatchewan Party government and Ottawa to provide support with livestock producers dealing with severe drought conditions.
NDP Deputy Shadow Minister for Agriculture Trent Wotherspoon says the opposition has put together a three-point plan that they'd like the two levels of government to adopt, including the creation of a drought action committee, which includes representation from producers, agricultural groups and rural municipalities, to plan and deliver a coordinated drought response when needed.
The second point involves being proactive and improving business risk management programs, to ensure equity for livestock producers, with both the province and Ottawa contributing their share of premiums, the way they do for crop insurance.
Finally, based on a suggestion of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association (SSGA), the NDP would like to see a ten-year deferral of federal capital gains for cattle producers forced to liquidate their herds, due to drought conditions, that would prevent them from providing adequate feed or water for their animals.
In a release, Wotherspoon says "Our cattle producers produce the best beef in the world, and they need our support when we see the threat of drought putting livelihoods at risk," adding "There are actions that both levels of government should be taking today, to have the backs of cattle producers and grain growers during this difficult time."