Making Canada and Nova Scotia Agriculture

PREMIER'S OFFICE--Making Canada and Nova Scotia Agriculture Leaders

Nova Scotia is leading the charge for a new national policy on agriculture, Premier John Hamm said today, June 18.

The premier noted that Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, will co-chair a federal-provincial-territorial meeting of agriculture ministers June 26-28 in Halifax. During their meetings, the ministers are expected to agree on a policy framework that will help shape the future of agriculture in Canada.

"In light of the recent U.S. farm bill, the need for governments to work together in support of our farmers has never been stronger," said Premier Hamm.

The national agricultural policy framework will be based on five key elements:

• food safety and food quality;
• the environment;
• science and innovation;
• renewal; and
• business risk management.

"Not only is our objective to make Nova Scotia and all of Canada a world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally responsible production, but we must ensure that the policy framework benefits farmers and the province as a whole," said the premier.

Agriculture was identified as one of Nova Scotia's foundation industries in Opportunities for Prosperity, the province's growth strategy released in the fall of 2000. More than 14,000 Nova Scotians work in agriculture and related industries, contributing over $650 million to the province's economy.

Since the summer of 1999, the Nova Scotia government has taken a number of positive steps to strengthen the agricultural industry, including: -- establishing a New Entrants' Program to encourage young farmers; -- accelerating and expanding drought-relief payments; and -- increasing support for its environmental farm plan (EFP) program, in co-operation with the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

"Make no mistake, this government supports Nova Scotia farmers," said the premier. "But in the global marketplace, we need to work more closely with other governments and industry partners."

This summer, Premier Hamm will visit a variety of farms and agricultural exhibitions around the province. Today, he will tour Scothorn Farms Limited in Elmsdale, Hants Co. Scothorn employs over 30 people, participates in Nova Scotia's environmental farm plan and is cited as a model farm for occupational health and safety by government safety inspectors.