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NLIS 1
February 3, 2006
(Natural Resources)
 

Province experiencing significant growth in fur industry

There has been a significant growth and expansion in the fur industry in Newfoundland and Labrador as a result of considerable investment by governments and the private sector. The growth of the industry was outlined today by Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources, and Merv Wiseman, President of the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association, during the association�s annual general meeting in Gander.

"Overall, the agriculture industry in our province is experiencing a level of advancement previously not witnessed in our history, and certainly the fur sector is one of the areas that is contributing to this growth," said Minister Byrne. "This is an industry that government believes has tremendous potential, and that is evident by the level of investment that has been made through various federal and provincial funding programs to support investment from the private sector from both inside and outside Newfoundland and Labrador."

There�s been over $3 million invested through various federal and provincial government funding programs. Today�s development of the fur industry in the province is the result of a strategic plan that was prepared for the Fur Breeders Association in the 1990s, which was then followed by the Collaborative Expansion Initiative that was successful in attracting several well-established fur farmers from Denmark and garnered the interest of existing and new farmers from within the province.

"Through these efforts it became clear that this province is a very favourable place to develop and diversify the fur industry," said Minister Byrne. "We have land availability and a knowledgeable workforce."

The mink industry has grown from approximately 1,000 breeders in 2001 to 22,000 in 2005. The potential pelt production for 2005 is over 100,000 pelts, with in excess of $5 million in pelt sales. By 2008 it is expected that the number of breeder females will reach over 100,000, resulting in potential pelt sales of $25 million dollars.

"This tremendous growth and industry expansion is the result of hard work and dedication by our fur farmers in the province," said Mr. Wiseman. "The fur industry is benefiting from our strategic plan, which outlined growth opportunities, training and environmental practices. This strategic approach, and government�s continued commitment and unprecedented support, are contributing factors to this expansion."

Minister Byrne commended the Newfoundland and Labrador Fur Breeders Association and its members for the leadership shown in advancing the fur sector in the province. "The industry has shown real commitment to grow the fur industry, which is more particularly having an impact on rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Byrne.

Media contact:

Carmel Turpin, Natural Resources, (709) 729-5282, (709) 685-4624
carmelturpin@gov.nl.ca

Tony Marx, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, (709) 691-0444

2006 02 03                         1:30 p.m.


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