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May 28, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)


The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Yesterday we hosted a reception to launch the Newfoundland and Labrador Agriculture Awareness Campaign. The campaign, which is a joint venture between the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, the Federal Department of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada. It is designed to raise the public's awareness of the province's diverse agriculture industry.

The theme of the awareness campaign is "We are growing." In addition to the obvious reference to agriculture, the campaign wants to raise the public's awareness that agriculture and agrifoods is a diverse, high-tech and expanding industry.

Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are generally unaware of the extent of quality products produced locally. How many of the general public know that Newfoundland and Labrador products are now successfully marketed in all of Canada, with growing interest overseas. Farmers in this province produce all the fluid milk and eggs we consume. Most people would not realize that there are opportunities to not only expand and diversify primary production, but even more so in the area of value-added food products.

This is exactly why this government wants to increase the awareness of the agriculture and food industry, so that we can foster new ideas to take advantage of these opportunities.

The province's agriculture industry is a major contributor to our economy.

Newfoundland and Labrador has over 740 farm units and more than 100 secondary food processors operating in all areas of the province. The value of the agriculture industry is undeniable and often understated. The capital value of the primary industry alone is over $184 million. Farm produce sales reached a record high of $74 million last year. The value of manufactured agrifood products also continued to increase in 1997 with values over $300 million. The agriculture industry employs approximately 5,000 people in the province. Most of these jobs are in rural areas of the province .

The campaign began yesterday with television and newspaper ads and will run throughout the summer and fall months. The initial focus of the campaign will be on highlighting the industry. The second stage will focus on agriculture products.

I encourage all members of the House and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take full advantage of our home grown products and consume them whenever they can. From the Rodriguez Winery in Markland to Andy Larmer's poultry operation, Newfoundland and Labrador's agricultural products are second to none.

1998 05 28 4:20 p.m.


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