FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2005

HARPER PROPOSES REAL SOLUTIONS FOR FLOOD AFFECTED FARMERS

WINNIPEG – Conservative leader and Leader of the Opposition, Stephen Harper, today called on the federal government to institute a Green Cover Crop Program (GCCP) and Job and Economic Restoration Initiative (JERI), to help farmers, such as those in Manitoba, facing the devastating consequences of crop damage caused by severe flooding.

“The Liberal government continues to rely on the highly ineffective CAIS program, which is not designed to handle major disasters,” said Harper while touring a flood ravaged farm just outside of Winnipeg. “The government should listen to those affected and provide real solutions that will address the challenges our farmers are dealing with now.”

As much as 2.5 million acres of crop or forage land in Manitoba alone (about 20% of the cultivated acres in the province) has gone unseeded or been drowned out due to excessive moisture. This has resulted in staggering profit loss.

GCCP is an environmentally friendly initiative that re-seeds wetlands with grasses and grain thereby controlling weeds, absorbing excess soil moisture, and improving organic matter. It would also reduce potential erosion and the movement of nutrients into sensitive water bodies. JERI was previously used successfully in 1997 and 2000 to offset business and farm losses during the Red River flooding in Winnipeg.

Several key agricultural and industry groups in Manitoba including the Keystone Agricultural Producers support the proposal for these programs.

“Why is the Liberal government continuing to ignore this urgent situation?” asked Harper. “Once again the Conservative Party is providing leadership where this Liberal government is failing our farmers.”

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