Trade, federal engagement key priorities for Saskatchewan agricultural sector

Saskatchewan agricultural producers are hoping to see some more clarity and engagement surrounding key issues from the incoming federal government.

Uncertainty remains the only certainty for Saskatchewan’s agricultural producers these days.

The province’s major industry players came together Thursday in Saskatoon for the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan’s (APAS) Ag summit. Discussions included the best approach to deal with continued tariff talk, all while in the middle of a federal election.

“It’s adding a lot of anxiety to producers going into seeding here in the next few weeks,” APAS President Bill Prybylski said. “So it is going to impact their seeding decisions and marketing decisions and all those kinds of factors are kind of accumulating.”

With so many unknowns, industry leaders want more clarity around trade and infrastructure from the incoming federal government.

He added commitments to updating infrastructure, particularly rail and port, will bring a sense of security that products can get to market.

One question the canola industry has is what the plan is for Chinese tariffs. Sask Oilseeds said half of canola crops are grown in the province, and impacts could be devastating.

“It’s a profit driver for us,” said Sask Oilseeds Chair Dean Roberts. “When that crop is no longer profitable, where do you go to pick up the slack? How do you remain profitable, remain solvent, if your main cash crop is under threat?”

Roberts said the way forward is free and open trade.