Changes to Legislation Help Farmers

Farmers will be able to better grow their businesses and create rural jobs with changes to agriculture legislation.

Amendments to the Agriculture and Marketing Act will give the province clearer authority to respond to emerging issues and opportunities in the industry.

"Nova Scotia's agriculture industry creates good jobs in rural communities, and contributes millions to the provincial economy," said Agriculture Minister John MacDonell. "These changes in legislation will help us support a strong, sustainable agriculture industry now, and in the future."

The act governs policies and programs for Nova Scotia's agriculture industry and is laid out in specific sections addressing the industry's needs. However, the legislation was not clear about the province's authority to develop policies.

The amendments will define the province's authority to develop programs such as encouraging Nova Scotians to buy local food.

"The province's Select Nova Scotia campaign is making a real difference in the amount of local food that Nova Scotians seek out," said Janice Ruddock, executive director of Taste Nova Scotia. "Continuing this work means continuing to support not only farmers, but also producers and restaurants that gain wide-spread attention for using quality local ingredients."