The Province’s new Agriculture Minister says he’s looking forward to his new role. 

Wood River MLA David Marit says as a farmer he realizes the privilege of serving in this role. 

"Getting up to speed on some of the issues is going to take a little bit of time.  You know having the privilege to be at the cabinet table for the last couple years with Minister Stewart and knowing some of the key issues.  Working with him obviously in grain transportation over the last couple of years the way we have, does help me to some degree."

Marit says he’s met with some of the key people on his team, talked with the Federal Agriculture Minister and in the next few weeks is hoping to start meeting with some of the Province’s farm groups. 

He notes grain transportation and the impact the drought has had on crops and livestock producers is a key priority.

"Minister Stewart wrote a letter to Minister MacAulay asking for the tax deferral again for the livestock sector.  What I'm going to try to stress with the Federal Minister is we have to implement it in a much more timely fashion.  I would hope that we could do it very, very soon."