A new Federal-Provincial Pest Biosecurity Program was announced in Saskatchewan last week.

The program which will be delivered through SARM focuses on Agricultural Pests and includes Invasive Weeds, Rats and Beavers.

SARM President Ray Orb says three rebate programs will be cost-shared up to 50% between Rural Municipalities and First Nations:

"They are highering six specialists," he said. "They are going to have one in each SARM division. They're going to be dealing with our pests. Particularly focusing on plant pests such as clubroot. We had a lot of feedback from our members on clubroot."

He notes there are some changes in the programs, as an example in the Beaver Control Program the bounty now will only be available for people with a fur trappers license.

The $2.85 million in funding for the Pest Biosecurity Program is being delivered under the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership.