Agriculture and Forestry Minister Eric Hammill said today he is pleased that agreement has been reached for the resumption of a dead stock removal service on an Island-wide basis.
Under the new agreement, the Department of Agriculture and Forestry will contribute $10,000 towards the $40,000 cost to dairy and beef producers in each of the next two years. The balance will be made up by the collection of user fees and/or payment of fees by the Cattlemen's Association and the Milk Board. Hog producers who do not dispose of dead stock on-farm through composting or burial will contract directly with the service.
Mr. Hammill said the new agreement was the result of close cooperation among his department, all sectors of the livestock industry and the Federation of Agriculture. "We have developed a solution that will meet the needs of producers and that will help protect the environment," he said. "The department and livestock producers are committed to a long-term solution that results in the disposal of dead stock in a safe, environmentally-responsible manner."
The minister credited the Milk Board and the Cattlemen's Association for their contribution to the development of the new agreement, and praised Alan Miller, director of the agriculture division of his department, for facilitating the discussions between the industry and the operator of the service.