August 7, 2002

SGI Expands Access to Farm Plates

In response to the changing needs of Saskatchewan farmers, SGI is expanding access to farm plates to include farmers who are ‘winding down' or are in the process of diversifying their farming operations.

The change will provide former or diversifying farmers the ability to continue to use their farm plated vehicles to ‘wind down', or complete the transition of, their farm operation.

Under the special allowances farmers can conduct farm plate transactions for up to one year after they have quit farming or scaled down their operation. Diversifying farmers may be eligible for farm plates during, and for a period after, their transition phase.

“Saskatchewan producers are going through a time of considerable change and this new farm plate allowance is completely supportive of that change,” Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said. “This issue was brought to our attention by a Saskatchewan farmer. We listened to his concerns, and now we've responded. By expanding access to farm plates, SGI is lifting a financial burden from farmers who are either shutting down or diversifying their operation.”

To take advantage of the allowance, diversifying farmers can apply to SGI for an extension or ‘bridging' of their farm plate eligibility. SGI will evaluate each case on its own merits, and will issue a letter of authorization for farmers who qualify for the special allowance.

The winding down or retiring farmer will automatically be given the allowance by motor licence issuers based on their declaration, at the time of issuance of the farm plate, that they are winding down their operation. There will not be a case-by-case review of each situation.

“The situation on the family farm is changing and with these special allowances we're ensuring as many farmers as possible have access to farm plates,” Crown Investments Corporation Minister Maynard Sonntag said.

Under the previous regulations, farmers had to operate at least 30 cultivated hectares of land (75 acres) or generate gross revenue of at least $10,000 in the past 12 months from the farm.

“The past regulations had a purpose, but with more and more farmers retiring and diversifying the rules needed to be changed,” Sonntag said.

Farmers can contact an SGI motor licence issuer or call 1-800-667-9868 for more information about the farm plate special allowances.

For media inquiries only, contact:
Julianne Jack
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6907

For all other inquiries, call 1-800-667-8015.


For additional information, contact:
Trish Alcorn
Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization
Regina
(306) 787-5389

Back to News Releases