Central Beekeepers Alliance

Government of New Brunswick Press Release
Agriculture and Aquaculture

Minister announces funding in support of agriculture industry
(07/05/18)

FREDERICTON (CNB) – A number of funding allocations to ensure the long-term profitability and sustainability of the agriculture industry in New Brunswick were announced today by Agriculture and Aquaculture Minister Ronald Ouellette.

“Since my appointment as minister of Agriculture and Aquaculture, I have met with numerous sector associations where a number of strategic investment opportunities have been identified to assist these sectors to better position themselves for the future,” Ouellette said. “The investments announced today will increase the industry’s ability to play an important role in our agenda for achieving self-sufficiency.”

As an immediate first step, the department will provide assistance of $100,000 to New Brunswick beekeepers to assist them in the rebuilding of their lost colonies this past winter. This should help to provide the pollination services as required by the province’s fruit and vegetable crops, including the emerging blueberry and cranberry sectors.

Ouellette has also requested that the loss of bee colonies be raised as a national concern.

“It is clear that other provinces are also having difficulties and a collective effort, including the federal government, is required to understand the problem and identify possible solutions,” Ouellette said.

On the longer term, the department will initiate the formation of a stakeholders advisory committee to improve communications and provide a mechanism to discuss issues with the beekeeping industry.

Ouellette also announced assistance of $100,000 to the New Brunswick apple industry for a new re-plant program to allow them to revitalize their industry and be more competitive.

“We’re hopeful that this funding will be matched by the federal government,” Ouellette said.

In the area of land development, Ouellette recently approved a second round of leases of 769 hectares (1,900 acres) for wild blueberry development, which will bring the total area of Crown land in production to close to 6,475 hectares (16,000 acres) in the northeast.

“Further, I am pleased to announce that over $170,000 will be invested this fiscal year to provide infrastructure in support of new land areas currently being developed by wild blueberry producers,” Ouellette said.

Ouellette also met with a number of other agricultural commodity groups who have identified various opportunities for growth and enhancement.

“I am presently consulting with these groups to identify priority areas for assistance to their producers, and I hope to make other announcements in the near future which will focus on key strategic initiatives identified by these groups,” Ouellette said.

These investments are in line with the vision of the department of ensuring the long-term profitability and sustainability of the agriculture industry in New Brunswick.