Stop the closure of the NL Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre

Stop the closure of the Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre.

This is an article from the Newfoundland & Labrador Institute of Agrologists Credible, Knowledgeable, Professional. I think it says it explains this petition the best.

The vital research needs of our distinct climatic, soil and landscape conditions cannot be met without research taking place here in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Institute of Agrologists firmly objects to the proposed closing of Agriculture and Agri-food Canadas Atlantic Cool Climate Crops Research Centre as stated in the Federal Governments budget of February 23rd, 2005. We further object to the manner in which the decision was reached and announced. No consultation was undertaken with the agriculture sector in the Province. Neither the farmers organization - the Federation of Agriculture, the Newfoundland Government, Memorial University or the employees of the local Centre were made aware of the announcement prior to the budget release. The professional staff, many of whom we count in our membership, were never sought out to give their opinion as to the needs of such a centre in the Province
Far from cutting back, research needs to be expanded here to keep pace with agricultural expansion in the province and years of cutbacks from Ottawa made without understanding the needs of our province. (We are the only province in Canada with an expanding agriculture industry.) With a limited arable mineral soil land base of only 1\% of our land mass, we have sought alternate solutions. Peat farming including, vegetable, forage and sod farming have been developed here based on the Centres research, Provincial Government technology transfer and on farm trials and adoption by a forward looking agriculture industry.
Some of the contributions of the Centre include the development of several new potato varieties, 3 new turnip varieties, peat research as mentioned above, grain and corn trials including the economics of such production for an expanding dairy industry and other livestock species, drainage research related to both heavy mineral soils and organic or peat soils, fertility trials and the uses of locally available soil amendments, small fruit research in blueberries, cranberries, partridge/lingon berries and bakeapples and entomological needs such the recent chinch bug work. Neutraceuticals, biotechnology and the introduction of new species into commercial production in the Province are all part of the good news that has come from the Research Centre through the initiative of the professional staff, their technical support workers and all who contribute to the operation and maintenance of the Brookfield Road facility.
It is essential that this research expand and continue on its present site. Under the Terms of Union at Confederation, responsibility for the Research Centre was passed over to the Federal Government. They cannot now be allowed to renege on their legal obligation to the Province. Any suggestion of moving the Research Centre elsewhere in Newfoundland or in other parts of Canada is unacceptable. The Province undertakes trials at Pynns Brook and that work needs
to expand also. This is the sole Federal Research Centre in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Other provinces have up to 6 such facilities.
Memorial University does not have the Agricultural expertise and curriculum base to support such a facility. In other provinces where universities have undertaken significant responsibility for facilities and infrastructure, they already had a strong agriculture component. We welcome co-operation between professionals and research at Memorial, but to have them take over any major running of facilities or research for the Agriculture industry as a whole is not a viable alternative here. The Federal Government must live up to the Terms of Union and continue to undertake a full service Research facility in Newfoundland and Labrador including qualified staff with local experience and expertise and the required infrastructure to support them.
Georgina Queller, P.Ag.
President
Newfoundland and Labrador Institute of Agrologists
(709) 726-5016
(709) 746-4191 Cell
[email protected]
P. O. Box 978, Mount Pearl, NF A1N 3C9


Government of NL ministers comments concerning closure.
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2005/exec/0729n03.htm

Email your member in parliament to oppose this closure.
List of federal governments house of commons ministers.
http://www.parl.gc.ca/common/senmemb/house/members/CurrentMemberList.asp?Language=E&Parl=38&Ses=1&Sect=hoccur&Order=PersonOfficialLastName