For Immediate Release August 2, 2006

“Farm Family Low Income Program”

Ottawa (August 2, 2006) -- Ed Komarnicki, MP, (Souris-Moose Mountain).

The federal government has committed $550 Million dollars over a 2 year pilot project to help lower-income farm families. This is in addition to the $950 Million committed to inventory evaluation under CAIS and expanding the eligibility criteria for negative margin coverage.

If your gross farm revenues are at least $50,000 and your taxable income is under $15,000 as an individual or as a family your taxable income is less than $25,000, you will receive a cheque for the difference. An application has to be made before October 31st and the information is based upon your 2005 income tax return.

“The Application form meets my basic test of not being more than two pages”, said Komarnicki. The application form itself may be obtained at http://www.agr.gc.ca/options. The only requirement of the program is that the farmer commit to a farm business assessment or a business plan or an individual learning plan and skills training.

“Outside of the portion of the form relating to program participation, it’s as simple as entering your name, address and your income from line 150 on your 2005 income tax return. I realize it is not the answer to the income crunch facing farmers, but at the same time if your family income is under $25,000, I would recommend you apply to receive the dollars that are available” said Komarnicki.