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December 4, 1997
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)


The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I would like to advise the Honourable Members of the House of Assembly that today I have issued a commercial caribou licence in Labrador to Uncle Sam's Butcher Shop in Goose Bay.

I would like to point out that, until today, only the Inuit of Labrador have held a commercial licence to harvest and process caribou in Labrador. This new permit will not impact on the number of animals under licence to the Inuit.

The George River caribou herd is the largest caribou herd in the world with a population of over 700,000 animals. Its range is spread over Labrador and Quebec. The combined hunt in Quebec and Labrador does not even come close to the numbers which are required to be harvested to sustain the herd at current levels. In fact if more animals are not harvested, my department predicts a decline in the size of the herd, which is believed to have been the pattern in the past.

Although Quebec has had a commercial hunt for a number of years now, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has always taken a cautious approach to introducing a new commercial hunt. For the past few years in Labrador, we have been expanding the recreational hunt as much as possible for both resident and non-resident hunters. However, despite those efforts we need to harvest more animals.

I am, therefore, very pleased to announce the approval of this experimental commercial hunt of caribou in the Western Labrador area of the province. Initially, a permit for 200 animals will be issued to Uncle Sam's Butcher Shop which could be expanded to a total of 500 animals depending on the success of the start-up of the operation and the marketing of the product. My department will monitor the operation very closely and evaluate its results before considering any further expansion or other requests for commercial permits.

In the past the department has had a number of requests for commercial licences, including Uncle Sam's Butcher Shop, which had various levels of integration of harvesting and processing. I am pleased to say that Uncle Sam's Butcher Shop will have a completely integrated and value added utilization of the animals to be harvested. This involves harvesting, cleaning, transportation, processing and distribution.

This harvest will take place within the Innu land claim area. Government has consulted with the Innu Nation who have given their full support to this trial project. The Inuit of Labrador have also been informed of this undertaking.

This initiative will lead to considerable economic activity based on the renewable natural resources of wildlife in Labrador. I am pleased that this announcement will create employment and income opportunities for the people of Labrador.

1997 12 04 5:00 p.m.

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