Impact of tariffs on Sask. agriculture discussed at Canada’s Farm Show

A panel discussion on tariffs took place at Canada's Farm Show on Wednesday. (Mick Favel / CTV News)

The impact of tariffs on Saskatchewan agriculture has been a popular topic discussed at Canada’s Farm Show in Regina this week.

On Wednesday, there was a panel discussion focusing on U.S. and China tariffs as well as the political picture weighing heavily on this year’s upcoming seeding.

Grant McLellan, a senior strategist for Prairie Sky Strategy, was one of the four panelists. He said producers are facing major obstacles and need the public’s support.

“It comes back to this Team Canada approach. Supporting our producers. That includes all levels of government,” he said.

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Levi Wood is a producer from west of Regina.

He said discussions of trade have been a common topic at the Farm Show for decades, but not tariffs. Many producers are wondering how the tariffs could alter the agriculture sector.

“These tariffs have certainly thrown up a threat to our industry and a number of concerns for our industry,” he said.

“I think everybody is looking for the path forward and what can be done to improve the situation,” he added.

The U.S. and China are both major trading partners for Saskatchewan producers.

Wood said if a trade sours, Canada can usually go to the other and continue on.

With the current situation, this move is not possible.

“It’s really the combination of those factors that makes this a much more difficult situation,” Wood said.