Government offers land to Labrador farmers

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, announced today six lots of agricultural land in the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay have been offered to local farmers. The land is the first phase of a 16-lot proposed development totaling 800 acres on the north side of Mud Lake Road. Farmers responding to a call for proposals in October 2004 by the Department of Natural Resources were eligible for the land.

Minister Byrne said that making land available for agriculture development in Labrador is a priority of the provincial government and is consistent with the objectives of the Northern Agrifoods Development Strategy which was released in July 2004.

"Ensuring that suitable farm land is available to farmers in Labrador is critical to the development of the agriculture sector in this region," said Minister Byrne. "Through this initiative, government is providing existing farmers and new entrants to the industry with an opportunity to access quality agriculture land. We hope this initiative will encourage more farming which will make more local produce available, as well as spur on economic growth."

John Hickey, MHA for Lake Melville and Parliamentary Secretary for Labrador Affairs, said he is very pleased with the continued support he has received from Minister Byrne and the Department of Natural Resources to move forward the many opportunities in the agriculture sector in Labrador.

"The opportunity to expand the land base on the Mud Lake Road, together with the $165,000 financial assistance recently provided to the Lake Melville Agriculture Society for the purchase of a farm tractor, are two important steps in building a long-term future for those interested in farming to supply locally-grown produce to meet Labrador�s needs," said Mr. Hickey. "These initiatives certainly send a positive message from our government to the farming community in Labrador that we are committed to helping and supporting the many opportunities for growth in the agriculture sector in Labrador."

The Department of Natural Resources plans to make the remaining 10 lots available to farmers through a public call for proposals to take place in the fall of 2005. Anyone interested in submitting a proposal in the next call for proposals should contact the Labrador regional agriculture office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay at (709) 896-3405.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-5282 or 685-4624

2005 02 11                  10:50 a.m.