NLIS 6
February 28, 2005
(Natural Resources)
 


Minister Byrne continues effort to ensure federal research capacity is maintained

Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, is continuing his effort to ensure the research capacity of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is maintained in this province. The federal government stated last week it plans to close the Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre on Brookfield Road and would transfer the research capacity to Memorial University.

"Not only did that decision come as a surprise to the provincial government, it was certainly a surprise to Memorial University," said Minister Byrne. "I have been in contact with Dr. Axel Meisen, president of Memorial, who indicated quite clearly to me that there have not been any discussions between the federal agriculture department and Memorial to transfer this research capacity."

Minister Byrne stated he subsequently received a letter from Dr. Christopher Loomis, Memorial�s vice-president of research, confirming that no discussions had occurred.

"Based on that information from Memorial University, it is clear this was a quick decision on the part of the federal government," said Minister Byrne. "The decision to close the research station here was not well thought-out, was not well-researched nor was it well-planned. In my view, it was the stroke of a pen by a federal bureaucrat. It was done without any consultation with the province, the agriculture industry or with our university officials."

Minister Byrne said the justification the federal government has been providing for the closure is a very weak one.

"What they have said publicly is that the building is old and antiquated and they are not interested in upgrading the building," said Minister Byrne. "The research facility is a tremendous asset for the growing agriculture industry in this province. I will not accept that we will lose this resource because of maintenance issues with the building."

Minister Byrne said he did have the opportunity to meet on Saturday with Wayne Easter, the federal parliamentary secretary for agriculture.

"I clearly indicated to him the provincial government disagrees with the decision to close the facility," said Minister Byrne. "Mr. Easter also heard from individual producers and industry representatives and he definitely went back to Ottawa with a true sense of our opposition to the decision and our position that this research facility is a very important asset in support of the agriculture industry in this province

"This growth needs to be supported by leading-edge research - the kind we have come to depend on at this facility. We have made such great strides in developing the agriculture industry and I do not want anything to happen that would the stymie the progress we have made. I believe the loss of the research facility could do just that."

Minister Byrne mentioned that the province is currently partnering with the research centre on such initiatives as small feed grain and corn silage research, integrated pest management and clonal selection and commercialization of local wild partridgeberry and bakeapple plants.

"This kind of work is so critical to enhance, grow and develop the agriculture sector in this province which is becoming a significant contributor to our provincial economy, particularly in rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Byrne.

Furthermore, Minister Byrne indicated that the existence of the research facility is confirmed in the Terms of Union between the governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada and that is certainly a key part of the effort to retain this research facility.

Minister Byrne has also been in contact with the federal agriculture minister, Andy Mitchell, and the two ministers will have a one-on-one meeting this week during the federal/provincial/territorial meeting of agriculture ministers taking place in Ottawa March 2-3.

"Minister Mitchell offered his apologies on how this issue has been handled," said Minister Byrne. "He was also surprised to hear of Memorial University�s position on this issue. I look forward to meeting with Minister Mitchell and I feel confident that we will have a positive outcome as a result of my discussion with the federal minister."

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

2005 02 28                   12:10 p.m.
 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement