The provincial government is transferring ownership of the seven community pastures across Prince Edward Island to various local organizations to support livestock production. The seven pastures consist of more than 9000 acres and provide grazing to upwards of 5000 head of livestock. Some 100 livestock producers are involved.
"Transferring ownership to local organizations will provide greater long-term stability to producers and contribute to the continued growth and development of the Island's livestock industry," said Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill. "The provincial government is very pleased to respond to requests from the community pasture organizations and is confident the new owners will make the needed changes to operate them in an economically and environmentally sustainable manner."
Ownership of the pastures will be conveyed by the provincial government for a nominal sum, subject to a management agreement with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry. The management agreement will cover stream protection, forested areas and environmentally-sensitive sites. An Environmental Farm Plan for each pasture must also be completed. Ownership will revert to the provincial government should the local organizations cease operations.
The pastures are located in Lauretta, Ellerslie, Roxbury, Lot 16, Wellington, Kelly's Cross and Grandview. The community pasture program was established in the early 1960s, and pasture lands were leased to local organizations.
"Transferring the community pastures to local organizations will place ownership and management directly in the hands of local farmers who are clearly in the best position to determine how they can best be operated for the benefit of the industry," said Mr. Hammill.
COMMUNITY PASTURES - BACKGROUNDER
The community pasture program was established in the early 1960s under the federal government's Agricultural Rehabilitation and Development Act (ARDA.)
The program was originally administer by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry, with responsibility for capital costs, fencing and handling facilities. The pastures were expected to recover operating costs through user fees. In the 1980s, the department provided staff support, and per head subsidies.
Management responsibility was shifted to the Land Development Corporation in 1972. In 1982, management responsibility was transferred back to the department. In 1994, ownership of the land was transferred to the Department of Transportation and Public Works. At the same time, the Department of Agriculture said it was no longer interested in managing the program.
Since then, the Department of Transportation and Public Works has been responsible for negotiating the terms and conditions of leases to local pasture organizations, including any enforcement aspects. Currently, three leases have expired, two have been renewed, and no leases were in effect for the others.