City folks need to understand the value of farming: Brison

BY BRENT FOX

The Advertiser

NovaNewsNow.com

He has received assurances on the future of the Kentville Agricultural Centre, but he’ll keep a close eye on the situation.

Kings-Hants MP Scott Brison met with federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz Monday, Feb. 4 to defend the Atlantic Food and Horticulture Research Centre in Kentville against any reductions.

The Kings-Hants MP has been concerned that a review by a Treasury Board-appointed independent panel of experts of federal non-regulatory research and changes to labs could result in negative changes at the centre.

Last fall, Brison had asked the Kentville facility not be recommended for transfer to the private sector and that federal support for the centre not be reduced.

Brison said after his meeting with the minister that he has received assurances that Ritz understands the value of the Kentville facility to agriculture.

“I’ll continue to monitor any change in tone of the government,” Brison said. “Every other industry and sector is investing in research. Success or failure is based on science.”

Brison said, “I want to ensure there is maintenance and expansion.” The future of agriculture depends of development and competitiveness. He also noted that the Kentville facility has the best margins of operation.

Agriculture research is important

However, the MP noted that bureaucracies, including Agriculture Canada, tend to think centrally. As well, the Treasury Board thinks more of costs, not benefits received by those them.

Brison said, “the key is getting city people to realize the importance of farming.”

In a Feb. 4 release on the matter, Brison said, “the report by the panel of experts has not been released yet by the government, so I wanted to get some assurance that whatever recommendations are made, that closure of the Kentville facility is not on the list.”

He said, “it’s important that agriculture research be conducted in the regions close to the areas where the products are grown.”

In the release, Brison said the Minister said he understood the issue and provided assurance that he would continue to support the Kentville Research Centre. “In fact, he agreed with me that there is a difference between, for example, the horticultural climate in the Okanogan Valley versus that of the Annapolis Valley and, as such, the value of research in each.”

Meanwhile, Treasury Board media relations chief Robert Makichuk said, “it’s really too soon to tell what the panel should identify.” There could be up to five facilities identified for early management arrangements. “It’s a broader structural issue.”

Brison assured, “I will continue to fight for the Kentville Research Station and the important research it conducts for Nova Scotian farmers.”