The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the only thing tougher than a Newfoundlander and Labradorian is a Newfoundland Pony. Our ancestors worked alongside this special animal to make their living from land and the sea. The pony was often essential to their way of life and was used for many tasks including ploughing fields, hauling fishnets and wood, and as a means of transportation for isolated communities.

I rise today to talk about how our government is helping others to ensure the continued preservation of this significant and special breed by providing land for protection, pasture and breeding.

Mr. Speaker, in September we issued a 50-year lease for approximately 10 hectares of Crown land near Hopeall, Trinity Bay, to the Newfoundland Pony Society to create a Newfoundland Pony Heritage Park.

While these 10 hectares will assist the Newfoundland Pony Society in its efforts to provide sanctuary to these beloved animals, we must also recognize the tremendous efforts and dedication of those who, for decades, have committed their time and resources to save the pony from extinction.

Mr. Speaker, while my department is working hard to protect and preserve the Newfoundland Pony, so too are we working to improve the circumstances of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador.

As part of our Way Forward commitment to increase access to Crown land, we identified 62 areas of interest totaling approximately 64,000 hectares for agricultural use. I am proud to state that 49 of those areas – a total of approximately 50,500 hectares – have been reserved for development.

Mr. Speaker, today we have over 27,000 hectares of agriculture leases issued to existing and new entrants.

Truly, we are on our way forward.

Thank you.