Department Announces New Industry Programs in 2005-06 Budget

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Department Announces New Industry Programs in 2005-06 Budget

Nova Scotia's agriculture and fisheries sectors will receive close to $1 million through several new initiatives, including a salmon restoration program, an innovative bio-research centre and an orchard renewal program.

Funding for the initiatives is included in the 2005-06 provincial budget.

"We are very excited to be able to offer these new programs to the resource industries," said Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Chris d'Entremont. "The new initiatives will benefit the agriculture and fisheries sectors for many years to come."

A $500,000 commitment is going toward the salmon restoration program to increase the number of salmon available to the sportfishery.

Nova Scotia's sportfishery is valued at $85 million annually. Access to a healthy salmon sportfishery would increase that value by creating opportunities in tourism, commerce and community economic development.

Another initiative is the development of the Bio-Resources Techno Venture Centre at the AgriTECH Park in Bible Hill. This $250,000 project will allow research into new agri-food and seafood products and technologies.

A third project will focus on orchard renewal. This $235,000 project will assist apple growers as they plan for the future by replacing some older apple trees with new ones.

The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries' proposed budget will increase by $3,317,000 in 2005-06, to $44,113,000.