BSE Task Force Members Announced

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES -BSE Task Force Members Announced

A task force has been named to deal with the impacts of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) on Nova Scotia's agriculture industry. The makeup of the task force was announced today, Oct. 3, by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Chris d'Entremont.

With the help of the task force, government will continue to work with industry to address the impacts of BSE on farmers, said the minister.

The Nova Scotia Agricultural Task force on BSE members include:

• Brooke Taylor (chair), MLA Colchester Musquodoboit Valley;
• Anthony Van Oostrum, past president Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture;
• Leo Cox, chair Nova Scotia Farm Loan Board;
• Stephen McNeil, MLA;
• George Archibald, former minister of Agriculture;
• Larry Weatherby, producer;
• Kurt Sherman, producer;
• Don Cox, first vice-president Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture.

"I am pleased with the high level of expertise and commitment that members bring to the table," said Mr. d'Entremont. "In pursuing this initiative we are giving industry the opportunity for direct input and I look forward to their findings."

The task force's objectives are to determine the impacts of the BSE crisis on the Nova Scotia agriculture industry and to determine the capacity of existing federal, provincial and other industry programs to address these impacts.

The task force meetings will run from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Friday, Oct. 17 in Wentworth at the Wentworth Community Hall;
• Saturday, Oct. 18 in Antigonish at St. Andrew's Community Hall;
• Monday, Oct. 20 in Brookfield, Colchester Co. at Knox United Church Hall;
• Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Kentville at the Kentville Research Centre.

Stakeholders are invited to give presentations that address how the BSE crisis affected their farming operations and whether or not the current programs will assist them in dealing with the impacts from BSE.

Written submissions will also be accepted from those unable to attend. Individuals wishing to make oral presentations and written submissions should contact the programs and business risk management division of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at 902-424-8954 by Tuesday, Oct. 14.