The following statement was issued today by Ed Byrne, Minister of Natural Resources. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

World Trade Organization negotiations

I rise to draw the attention of the members of this House of Assembly of a very important issue that is facing the agriculture industry in Newfoundland and Labrador and, indeed, across the country.

While we have made some significant progress in Newfoundland and Labrador in recent years to enhance, grow and diversify the agriculture industry � not the least of which was the five-year $17.5 million land consolidation and development program we announced in this year�s budget to increase the availability of suitable farm land � there remain issues that need to be addressed.

Today, one of the most critical issues is the current round of World Trade Organization negotiations and the potential impact that it could have on this province�s supply-managed commodities � egg, chicken and dairy. This current round could culminate at negotiations in Hong Kong in mid-December.

The supply-managed commodities represent close to 80 per cent of this province�s agriculture, and these sectors continue to grow. For example, in 2004, the egg industry grew close to 14 per cent to $13.3 million; the chicken industry grew nearly eight per cent to $23.3 million; and, the dairy industry grew nearly 4.5 per cent to $29.5 million. And just last month, I was quite pleased to welcome two new entrants into the dairy industry.

Obviously, these industries are vital to the agriculture industry in this province � most of which occurs in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.

That is why our government takes such a firm position on the issue. And that position is this � there should not be any weakening of the country�s import controls that would have a negative impact on our supply-managed system. The federal government has to ensure that current import quota levels are not increased and over-quota tariffs are maintained at existing levels. Our government will continue to drive the message home to the federal government as well as the other provincial governments the importance of maintaining our right to keep this orderly marketing system. It is working for producers and working for consumers � it does not need fixing.

I want to congratulate the egg, chicken and dairy organizations in this province who are lobbying alongside this government to see that the integrity of our supply-managed system is not tinkered with and that these industries continue to grow in this province.

2005 11 29                      2:00 p.m.