Released on April 1, 2015
Today, the federal and provincial governments announced a new web portal for Saskatchewan’s Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) program. The portal allows farm owners to create, review and update their EFPs online and at their own pace.As well, the Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) available through the Farm Stewardship Program have been enhanced. There are now 24 BMPs under seven categories, including five new BMPs and enhancements to seven existing BMPs. The Farm Stewardship Program helps Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers implement practices that maintain or improve the quality of the environment.
“Saskatchewan producers are constantly analyzing the effects of their farming and ranching practices on the environment and putting best management practices into place,” Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said. “The new EFP program portal will be a valuable tool for producers that our government is proud to support.”
“Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers have made a commitment to environmental sustainability, and we’re proud to support their efforts,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart said. “Through farmers’ Environmental Farm Plans and the implementation of Beneficial Management Practices, our province is better positioned to improve the quality of our soil, water, air and the biodiversity of our resources.”
BMPs may be accessed and implemented with the completion of an EFP. They minimize negative impacts and risk to the environment while ensuring the long-term health and economic strength of the agriculture industry. Funding for implementation of BMPs is available through the Farm Stewardship Program.
“Developing an Environmental Farm Plan and participating in the Farm Stewardship program helped me redirect my runoff water, improving the quality of nearby water sources,” cattle rancher Jack Hextall said. “That’s been a benefit not only for my family and my cattle, but also, and more importantly, for the land and environment around us.”
The new EFP web portal can be accessed at efp.saskatchewan.ca. New BMPs include grain bag rollers and carcass disposal planning. Funding caps were also increased on several existing BMPs to further encourage producers to make environmentally beneficial changes to their operations.
More information about the Farm Stewardship Program and the full list of BMPs can be viewed at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/GF2-FarmStewardship.
The EFP program and the Farm Stewardship Program are funded through Growing Forward 2, a cost-shared partnership between federal, provincial and territorial governments designed to support an innovative, competitive and profitable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
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For more information, contact:
Sarah Hein
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5389
Email: sarah.hein@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-527-9102
Jeff English
Office of Gerry Ritz
Ottawa
Phone: 613-773-1059
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Ottawa
Phone: 613-773-7972
Toll Free: 1-866-345-7972