Natural Resources
June 16, 2008

Atlantic Agriculture Ministers Commit to Regional Cooperation

The Atlantic Ministers of Agriculture have agreed to work towards a more co-operative approach to issues of common interest and concern related to the development of the agriculture industry after meeting in Little Rapids, Newfoundland and Labrador.

�Many of the opportunities and challenges facing this sector are similar in all four provinces,� said the Honourable Kathy Dunderdale, Newfoundland and Labrador�s Minister of Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency. �As governments, we need to continue to work with industry to enhance opportunities for growth and diversification and work with each other in areas that are common to the region.�

Newfoundland and Labrador hosted the meeting, which was held to provide a forum for the ministers to discuss specific issues that affect each of the provinces in the Atlantic region. Minister Dunderdale was joined by the Honourable Neil LeClair, Prince Edward Island Minister of Agriculture, the Honourable Brooke Taylor, Nova Scotia Minister of Agriculture, and Ronald Ouellette, New Brunswick Minister of Agriculture and Aquaculture.

�This gives us an opportunity to better understand agriculture within each of our neighbouring provinces and provides us the ability to explore opportunities where we can work collaboratively,� said Minister Ouellette. �The ultimate outcome is to enhance agriculture so that it continues to be an important player in New Brunswick as well as Atlantic Canada.�

The ministers agreed to further explore the concept of an Atlantic Province�s Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Development of the Agriculture Sector. The ministers directed their officials to continue discussions to finalize a regional MOU.

�Coming together to discuss issues that affect the industry is important to the development of sustainable agriculture, not only in Nova Scotia but in Atlantic Canada as well,� said Minister Taylor. �We must continue to broaden our perspectives and understanding of the entire farming sector and share ideas about how agriculture can be best positioned to take advantage of future opportunities.�

�The agriculture and agrifoods industry in all of our provinces is an important economic contributor to the Atlantic region,� said Minister LeClair. �This sector provides employment and positively impacts the economies of many rural regions and Prince Edward Island looks forward to continued dialogue on how we can work together for the benefit of the industry in all of Atlantic Canada.�

- 30 -

Media contacts:

2008 06 16                                   12:40 p.m.