News release

CAIS DEADLINES EXTENDED

OTTAWA, September 30, 2004 - More British Columbia producers can take advantage of the farm income protection offered through the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, thanks to deadline extensions announced today.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Andy Mitchell and B.C. Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries John van Dongen today announced that farmers and ranchers can still participate in the stabilization and disaster protection program even if they didn't sign up earlier.

Producers have until November 30, 2004 to submit the information required for the 2003 and 2004 program years, and until March 31, 2005 to make a deposit.

"Producers indicated they needed more time to understand how to fit the CAIS program into their overall risk management strategy," said Minister Mitchell. "The deadline extensions will give producers an added opportunity to fully consider their options under CAIS and to provide the information needed to participate in the program."

"All B.C. farmers and ranchers should look very seriously at joining CAIS," said Minister van Dongen, "Many producers have gone through a tough time recently. I would encourage any producer who hasn't signed up yet to apply immediately; it would be a shame for anyone to miss out on government payments they may be eligible for."

Federal and provincial staff will hold workshops around the province this fall to work with producers on their applications and to answer questions. The federal-provincial CAIS program helps farmers protect their operations from significant drops in income no matter what they produce. Combined with production insurance (crop insurance), CAIS provides comprehensive, stable risk management for agriculture.

The deadline extensions apply only in provinces where CAIS is delivered federally: British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador and the Yukon Territory.

Producers now have until November 30, 2004 to:

select level of protection and sign up for the 2003 CAIS program year.

complete and submit the 2003 CAIS Supplementary Forms.

select level of protection and sign up for the 2004 CAIS program year.

Producers have until March 31, 2005 to:

open a CAIS program account at a participating bank, credit union or other financial institution.

deposit the higher of the 2003 or 2004 minimum deposit amount in the account.

The deadline for submitting the CAIS Supplementary Forms for the 2004 program year has also been extended to September 30, 2005. More information is available on the program web site at www.agr.gc.ca/caisprogram.

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For more information, media may contact:

Media Relations
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
(613) 759-7972

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