May 29, 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 I informed the House of the Agricultural Awareness Campaign. As stated, the goal of the campaign is to raise the public awareness of agricultural products produced in Newfoundland and Labrador. Members opposite applauded our campaign but stated that more should be done in this industry to create employment opportunities in rural parts of the province.

The cranberry industry is developing. The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods is investigating the potential to commercially produce cranberries in the province.

It is well known to all members that there is an abundance of edible wild berries throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Two of the biggest deterrents in developing a berry producing industry have been low prices and the high cost of establishing an operation. However, the recent increase in consumption of cranberries, combined with medical research on the benefits of cranberry juice, have made the industry more viable and have triggered major expansion in North American markets.

Difficulties in securing land for industry development have led a number of major growers and processors to look for expansion of their operations into new locations. Open peatlands, which are ideal sites for cranberries, cover a land area of approximately 1.6 million hectares in the province.

In order to determine which type of cranberry will perform well in the province, a variety trial was established at the department's Pynn's Brook station on the west coast in 1997. Four varieties of cranberry were planted and cultivated. In the fall of 1997, these plants showed substantial vegetative growth with respect to the development of "runners" and "uprights." It is the "uprights" that produce 99 per cent of the fruit.

Newfoundland and Labrador has never cultivated cranberries. As a result, it appears that we may be free of major cranberry pests that occur elsewhere. In order to maintain this advantage, no importation of cranberry vines would be permitted into the province. Cranberry vines are cut and baled in the same manner as hay.

In order to keep Newfoundland and Labrador free from disease, existing plants would be used to establish further cranberry bogs. The excess vines would then be baled and used for new plantings in the province or exported as disease free bales. This production could be a viable spin off business as the bales would come from pest free stock.

The department will soon be in a position to seek expressions of interest to commercially produce cranberries in the province. It is our intention to see this industry grow to its full potential.

1998 05 29 12:35 p.m.