William D. Casey, M.P.
Cumberland
Colchester Musquodoboit Valley
646-S Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
House of Commons
Chambre des communes
Canada
Press Release
Ottawa Tel: (613) 992-3366
Ottawa Fax: (613) 992-7220
Amherst Tel: (902) 667-8679
Truro Tel: (902) 893-2455
The Nappan Experimental Farm, a potential hub for organic research
November 28, 2007
The M.P. also pointed out that within the government’s information, the
Nappan Experimental farm has been identified as a potential key research
site for conducting an enhanced program with partners such as the Nova
Scotia agricultural college in Truro, Nova Scotia, in organic research for
livestock and crops for which there are new markets and increased consumer
demand.
And, as part of Agricultural Canada’s plans, Nappan could also become a
facility resourced with technical personnel and a farm crew supporting
on-site experiments. The government believes that the existing research
infrastructure at the Nappan Experimental Farm could be well suited to this
unique roll.
The answers came to Casey following his Order Paper Question, number Q-23,
where he had been asking the government to tell him what the near-term plans
were for the farm and for the government employees and scientists who work
there. Speaking from Ottawa, Casey also said “Nothing is firm, but at least
Nappan has been identified as having substantial potential”.
Below is the original Q-23 Order Paper Question, plus the detailed answers
provided by the federal agriculture minister, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, and
a web-link to the Parliamentary Hansard document.
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For more information:
Bill Casey, MP
Cumberland-Colchester-Musquodoboit Valley
(613) 992-3366
(902) 667-8679
(902) 893-2455
Question No. 23--
Mr. Bill
Casey:
With
respect to the Nappan Experimental Farm, located in the community of Nappan,
Nova Scotia: (a) what are the near-term plans of the government for the
downsizing or relocation of employees from this location to other research
centres in Canada; (b) what are the plans of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Canada (AFFC) for the near-term, and long-term improvement of expanding or
improving the infrastructure at the Nappan Experimental Farm; and (c) is the
government considering closing or reducing the scope of the Nappan
Experimental Farm and, if so, what are the details and plans of AFFC for
community consultations?
Hon. Gerry Ritz (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for
the Canadian Wheat Board, CPC):
Mr. Speaker,
the response is as follows:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s, AAFC, Nappan Research Farm is in
full operation with both animal and crop research underway. In June 2007,
AAFC organized consultations through a workshop on priorities for organic
agricultural research in the Atlantic region that was held at Nappan with
representatives from the provincial governments of Nova Scotia, Prince
Edward Island and New Brunswick, the Nova Scotia Agricultural College and
organic producers from across the region. The consensus among participants
was that an organic research strategy is needed, and Nappan could play an
important role, as a certified organic farm, in this strategy that will seek
to expand organic research in Atlantic Canada.
As part of that strategy, Nappan could become a hub for organic research
undertaken by scientists from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and
collaborating organizations or institutions. There are currently two
professional staff located at Nappan, a soil scientist and a part-time
livestock biologist. The soil scientist will re-locate to AAFC’s research
centre in Kentville, Nova Scotia in April of 2008 placing him within a group
of professionals in complementary disciplines, thus facilitating research
for the benefit of agricultural producers. The part-time livestock biologist
will also likely relocate to the Nova Scotia agricultural college in Truro
sometime in 2008. These relocations make good business sense in building
critical masses of scientists that focus on specific research questions. In
the meantime, a human resources plan will be developed to meet new proposed
scientific directions for Nappan.
b) A full complement of technical and support staff remain in place at
Nappan; a competitive process to staff a new herdsman position is now
underway. The near term plans are thus to ensure the technical capacity at
Nappan and support the concept of the farm as a facility to undertake
integrated crop/livestock organic research. Meanwhile discussions are
underway with the Atlantic provinces in the context of growing forward, the
federal government’s new agricultural policy initiative to define programs,
roles and responsibilities to support agricultural innovation. These
discussions will include resources such as Nappan.
AAFC has approved a number of health and safety projects that range from
the repair of electrical distribution system to the replacement of feed
mangers as identified by a Canadian Council on Animal Care report conducted
in fiscal year 05/06. AAFC is also acting on a number of other issues as a
result of a building condition report, and over the past three years the
Department has spent approximately $300K in infrastructure costs for the
continued safe operation of the farm.
c) The AAFC’s science and innovation strategy seeks to build science and
innovation capacity to create new growth opportunities for Canadian
agriculture, and other sectors of the economy. AAFC is implementing the
strategy, and exploring options and opportunities with provincial
governments, universities, private sector and communities to position AAFC
science activities and resources with a critical mass.
With respect to the Atlantic region, a university/industry/AAFC
/provincial consultation took place on June 12, 2007 to discuss priorities
for organic agriculture in the Atlantic region, including Nappan. Following
these consultations, the Nappan experimental farm has been identified as a
potential key research site for conducting an enhanced program with partners
such as the Nova Scotia agricultural college in Truro, Nova Scotia, in
organic research for livestock and crops for which there are new markets and
increased consumer demand. Plans centred on AAFC’s science and innovation
strategy including the engagement of Nappan as an organic experimental farm
are being developed. In these plans, Nappan could become a facility
resourced with technical personnel and a farm crew supporting on-site
experiments. The existing research infrastructure at the Nappan experimental
farm could be well suited to this unique role.
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