Agriculture and Forestry minister Eric Hammill will be pressing for more federal investment in the Prince Edward Island industry when ministers of agriculture gather for their annual conference next week. He said he will be discussing increased investments in areas such as research, development and value-added initiatives with the new federal minister, Honourable Lyle Vanclief.
"The proportion of federal investment in agriculture in this province is the second lowest in Canada, and that is simply not acceptable given the importance of agriculture to the economy and its potential to grow and expand," said Mr. Hammill. "While our goal as a province is to move to greater self-reliance, we must have a higher level of federal investment which will enable us to take advantage of new, knowledge-based opportunities in the industry and to help attract more private sector involvement."
Mr. Hammill said that the average of total federal transfers to Prince Edward Island between 1991 and 1995 is 12.75 percent of the total value of production. That compares to the average federal transfers to all provinces of 16.14 percent of the production value. Saskatchewan receives the highest level at 27.61 percent. The lowest is Alberta at 11.53 percent.
The minister said there has been little change in those numbers since that time. He noted that Island producers are among the most self-reliant in Canada and that increased investments will enable the industry to boost its contribution to the economy.
The annual conference of federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture will be held next week in Trois Rivieres, Quebec. This is the first formal meeting of agriculture ministers attended by Mr. Hammill, and the first since the appointment of the new federal minister.
"I am looking forward to wide-ranging discussions on a number of major issues with my counterparts and to putting forward Prince Edward Island's positions on those issues," said Mr. Hammill. "I especially look forward to discussions with the new federal minister on ways we can cooperate and work together closely to help expand the agriculture industry in this province."
Among the issues on the agenda this year are farm safety nets, domestic and international trade, transportation, and inspection. Mr. Hammill said he has been consulting widely with industry groups and organizations on these and other issues since he became minister last November.
"Because of the significance of agriculture to this province, decisions affecting the industry have a much greater impact here than they have on the economy of many other provinces," said Mr. Hammill. "I will be advocating means to protect and promote the needs and interests of Island producers."
The agriculture ministers will be meeting July 2 to July 4. A communique will be issued at the conclusion of the annual conference on Friday.