Premier Pat Binns said today in the Legislature that the majority of the recommendations of the report of the Round Table on Resource Land Use and Stewardship have been and are being implemented. The Premier tabled a progress report outlining measures that have been taken by the provincial government and the private sector since the report was released 15 months ago.
Among the highlights of those measures are the establishment of a Farm Practices Review Board; a number of projects to monitor soil and water quality; the appointment of an integrated pest management specialist to help producers reduce the use of pesticides; and increased funding for on-farm conservation projects, including hedgerow planting. Amendments to the Forest Management Act were passed to increase protection of private land forests, and the Forest Partnership Council has developed a regulated code of practice for contractors which is now before government. Other highlights detailed in the progress report are the creation of permanent special planning areas around Charlottetown, Summerside, Cornwall and Stratford and work on planning for the Kensington and Greenwich areas.
Premier Binns also announced that amendments to the Environmental Protection Act will be introduced during the current session of the Legislature to establish watercourse buffer zones. The amendments will be in line with recommendations made this spring by the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Environment.
"While there has been much accomplished, there is much more to do," said Premier Binns. "We have to make sure that we are getting better results and that the province will be a better place in which to work and live when the recommendations are implemented. Our steady progress towards sustainable land use practices sets Prince Edward Island apart in North America."`
The Premier expressed his appreciation for the high degree of cooperation between industry and government in implementing the recommendations. "This entire process has been driven by public participation and changing public attitudes and expectations," he said. "Public policy is being shaped by these changes."
Implementation of the Round Table recommendations sets the stage for the development of a food strategy which is based on value-added, high quality food products from sustainably managed resources. The food strategy was announced in this fall's Throne Speech.