Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) has released six recommendations to address key issues facing Manitoba’s agriculture industry as the Government of Manitoba develops Budget 2022.
KAP’s budget recommendations address economic competitiveness, the environment, labour and public trust.
“Many farmers struggled in 2021 because of ongoing drought conditions in parts of Manitoba,” said KAP president Bill Campbell. “This has re-emphasized the fact that government policies, programs and services are important to the competitiveness of agriculture, especially in difficult times.”
KAP is calling on the provincial government to continue removing education property taxes from farm property to ensure a stable and competitive tax environment in the year ahead. Farmers need financial certainty when drought conditions, supply chain pressures and rising input costs are affecting their farm operations.
KAP also recommends increasing funding toward initiatives and programs that build climate resiliency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, recognizing the work that farmers do to ensure a healthy environment for future generations.
Further, KAP is calling on the provincial and federal governments to find a solution regarding carbon pricing in Manitoba. Any plan must exempt fuel used for drying grain and heating barns and return all tax revenue earned from agricultural activities to the sector.
KAP is Manitoba’s general farm policy organization, providing a unified voice for farmers on issues that affect agriculture.
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For more information:
Colin Hornby
Manager of Communications & Stakeholder Relations
Email: colin.hornby@kap.ca
Direct: (204) 898-2641