For release: June 04, 2004

Deadline Nears for Participation in Income Program for Farmers

GUELPH - Farmers may have no recourse if they miss the June 30, 2004, deadline for applying to the income stabilization program, said Steve Peters, Ontario Minister of Agriculture and Food.

"For those who wish to participate, the time to apply is now," said Peters. "If you haven't yet applied, I urge you to join the thousands of Ontario producers who have already made participation in this program part of their business-risk management strategy."

The Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization (CAIS) program is a joint federal/provincial program designed to provide farmers with the resources necessary to build a stronger, more competitive agri-food industry. The CAIS program allows Ontario farmers to protect their operations from income declines beyond their control.

With the June 30, 2004 deadline quickly approaching, Ontario farmers must take immediate steps to ensure that they are protected from potential farm income losses for both 2003 and 2004. 2003 program payments have already started and, to date, more than $1.5 million has been provided to farmers across Ontario through CAIS program benefits.

Producers should participate in CAIS to ensure they can also access other province-specific programs, worth up to $173 million, being offered. As with crop insurance, farmers must sign up and deposit funds in advance to qualify for CAIS disaster and income stabilization coverage for a particular year.

For further information on the CAIS program, call toll free 1-877-838-5144, or visit our web site at www.omaf.gov.on.ca and click on the "CAIS program" link.

Media Contact:
Mary Devorski
Minister's Office
416-326-3077
416-606-8303 (mobile)

Program Contact:
Ellen Funk
Manager, BRM Program Communications Bureau
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
(204) 984-5751

2003 & 2004
CANADIAN AGRICULTURAL INCOME STABILIZATION PROGRAM (CAIS)

Deadline Reminder Checklist

Ontario producers must have completed the following by no later than June 30, 2004:

1. Opened a CAIS program account at one of the participating financial institutions identified on our Web site at www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/policy/cais/financial_institutions.html;
2. Deposited at least the minimum required amount, as identified on the personal Deposit Options Notice (DON), into his/her CAIS account;
3. Completed and submitted a Joint 2003 & 2004 CAIS program application form to the CAIS program;
4. Completed and submitted a 2003 Schedule 2 - inventory, receivables and payables to the CAIS program;
5. Completed and submitted a 2003 Schedule 1 - production summary; and
6. Submitted his/her 2003 farming income (or loss) on a T1163 for tax purposes to the Canada Revenue Agency by June 15, 2004 for individuals or June 30, 2004 for business entities.

If one of the above mentioned items is missing from an application as of June 30, 2004, the participant will not be covered for the 2003 and 2004 CAIS program years.

Who Can Participate?

An individual* or business entity is eligible to participate in the 2003 and/or 2004 CAIS program provided that the producer has:

• carried on the business of farming in Canada and reported farming income (or loss) for income tax purposes;
• completed a minimum of six months of consecutive farming activity; and
• completed (or attempted to complete) a production cycle;

*In a partnership, partners participate as individuals.

Contact:
CAIS Program
Toll-Free: 1-877-838-5144
Fax: 1-519-826-4334
E-mail: cais@omaf.gov.on.ca
Internet: www.omaf.gov.on.ca
Mail: CAIS Program, OMAF, 1 Stone Road W., 4th Fl., Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2

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