December 5, 1996
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Appointment of Board of Directors for Newfoundland Farm Products Corporation

Beaton Tulk, Minster of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, announced today the appointment of a new Board of Directors for the Newfoundland Farm Products Corporation (NFPC). "I am pleased with the skills and experience that the new board members will bring to the table," said the minister. "They offer a solid range of expertise directly related to the challenges faced by NFPC. These individuals were specifically selected to address the mandate to explore all options for reducing NFPC's financial dependence on government, including privatization."

The new Board of Directors is made up of a majority of non- government members, and it will be chaired by Norval Blair of St. John's. Mr. Blair offers a wide range of experience gained by operating wholesale food, building supply, and hardware companies across the province in Corner Brook, Grand Falls-Windsor, Bishop Falls, Lewisporte and Clarenville. He also had major interests in transportation, shipping and tourist operations.

The other non-government members include Hugh St. Croix of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and David Earle of Corner Brook. As chief executive officer of Torngat Fish Producers Co-operative Society Limited, Mr. St. Croix offers extensive experience in food processing and marketing. His specialty area is the fishery, having previous experience with Lobster Specialties Limited in P.E.I., and Global Consultants Inc. in New Brunswick which serviced the seafood industry throughout the Maritimes.

Mr. Earle, a chartered accountant, brings over 25 years of financial experience to the board. He has been a very active member with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Newfoundland and has the distinction of being elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1991.

Government members of the board are Hal Stanley, Deputy Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods and Bob Smart, Assistant Secretary to Treasury Board (Human Resources and Budgeting). Martin Howlett, Assistant Deputy Minister, Agrifoods will serve as an ex-officio member.

"I am very pleased to attract people of this calibre to provide long-term direction and guidance as Newfoundland Farm Products Corporation strives to eliminate its dependence on government financial assistance," said Mr. Tulk. "The appointment of this board is another step in the corporation's aim to achieve commercial viability."

NFPC, a Crown corporation, was established in 1963. Currently, NFPC produces a full range of high quality chicken products which are marketed throughout the province, the Maritimes and central Canada. NFPC development will continue to emphasize a variety of further processed and value-added products. NFPC has a sales projection for 1996/97 expected to exceed $36 million. Products are marketed under the Country Ribbon, Cabot Farm and Pine Hill labels as well as private labels. The corporation employs 275 people at its facilities in St. John's and Corner Brook.

Contact: Gene Noftall, President, Newfoundland Farm Products Corporation, (709) 722-3751.