APAS Meetings Continue in Saskatoon

The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has been conducting their annual policy meeting in Saskatoon this week.

As expected, the summit has seen a lot of discussion about the carbon tax, among a number of other topics.

Todd Lewis is the president of APAS. He explained they started things off with a look at the numbers in terms of how much the carbon tax is expected to cost producers. They did this by looking at items they know aren’t exempt from the tax, like farm fuel.

“Increase in rail transportation, commercial trucking rates, heating, electricity, especially natural gas and propane use on a common year for grain drying; those increased costs,” Lewis listed.

The numbers are estimates and prepared by APAS, as Lewis explained they have attempted to get the numbers from the federal government, but none have come forward.

“We’re putting some of these forward, and hoping the federal government, if we’re wrong, they’ll let us know how we’re wrong.”

The carbon tax isn’t the only topic being discussed at the meetings. Lewis added there has been talk about the current situation with canola and China, as well as pulse crop exports to India, and durum to Italy.

The impacts on the bottom line for producers has been the key concern, though.

“It’s just a very preliminary number and it will only increase over time,” Lewis said, pointing out it will land at the farm gate.

The meetings in Saskatoon wrap up on Wednesday.