November 27, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Minister Kevin Aylward announces cranberry project in the District of Stephenville - St. Georges.

In June of 1998, our government announced a co-operative initiative under the Canada-Newfoundland Safety Net Agreement to develop the cranberry industry in the province. So far, $600,000 has been spent to do site development and road access.

This initiative is designed to establish the basic infrastructure for cranberry production. It will also assist in adapting technology for cranberries to this province's climatic and geographic conditions.

"I am pleased that one of the sites for this initiative is here in the District of Stephenville - St.Georges. The quality of peat lands in the province is only now being realized. The site for the cranberry production is located on Route 490 near the town of Stephenville. The road access to the site has been completed and construction of the cranberry beds and infrastructure is approximately three-quarters completed" said Mr. Aylward.

"Parallelling the physical development of the site is the continuation of the plant propagation program at the department's tree nursery at Wooddale. It is here that we are multiplying plant numbers of seven commercial varieties which will be planted at the approximate rate of 50,000 plants per acre. To date, approximately 200,000 plants have been produced at the nursery, an anticipated plant population of 1.2 million will be realized by the summer of 1999."

Contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183

1998 11 27 2:50 p.m.