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.
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