Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) would like to thank the federal government for taking leadership on one of KAP’s ongoing lobby efforts—assistance for producers affected by excess moisture in the summer of 2008. In particular, KAP has called for the expansion of the one-year tax deferral on livestock to include excess moisture situations.
The announcement released today by Minister of Agriculture Gerry Ritz recognizes the need for flood situations to be acknowledged under the tax deferral, which previously only allowed producers affected by drought a one-year deferral on income on the sale of breeding livestock.
“We’re very pleased to have obtained this outcome for KAP’s cattle producer members who were hit hard by the flooding in the Interlake and other areas of the province,” said Ian Wishart, KAP President. “Back in September we put the idea to change the deferral on the table, and we lobbied the federal and provincial governments for months. It’s encouraging to see this result.”
KAP applauds the federal and provincial governments for the announcements regarding feed assistance and forage restoration. KAP believes there is a need to include damage to annual crop fields as well as forage, and will continue to work on this issue.
KAP passed three resolutions on assistance for producers affected by excess moisture conditions at its annual meeting in January. All three resolutions went on to pass at the national level at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture annual meeting in February.
“There is more to be done to recognize the plight of Manitoba producers who are facing challenges due to the flooding last year, and KAP will continue to work hard on this issue.”
KAP also applauds the federal government for designating areas in the southwest corner of Manitoba as drought areas in order for producers to be eligible for the tax deferral.
