News Release Archive
FISHERIES--BARKHOUSE CHALLENGES DFO COST RECOVERY PLAN ----------------------------------------------------------------- Nova Scotia Fisheries Minister Jim Barkhouse said today that the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans' proposed fish inspection cost recovery program is ill conceived and will hurt the province's most important resource industry. "DFO has arbitrarily decided to recover $4.8 million from the fish processing sector without consulting the industry or the province", Mr. Barkhouse said. "It is unbelievable that a scheme of such magnitude may be imposed without asking industry what it wants, what it needs and what it can afford", said Mr. Barkhouse. "Ottawa seems intent on downsizing Nova Scotia's fish processing industry by whatever means available. Previous efforts have failed, so now they are going for the wallet and only companies who can pay will stay. Cost recovery is a tool for restructuring Nova Scotia's economy to fit Ottawa's vision of a small and tidy industry." Some fish companies estimate their costs may escalate by $25,000 or more because they are actively and aggressively exporting product into international markets. Exporters will be placed at a severe disadvantage vis-a-vis their competitors, because they will not be able to recover their costs. Mr. Barkhouse convened a meeting with fish processors on Tuesday after learning the fees had been pre-published in the Canada Gazette April 13. This means industry now has less than 30 days to submit comments to the federal minister for consideration before the package is sent to Privy Council for final approval. If approved, the new fees will be payable by August 1. Mr. Barkhouse said, "We need to know why DFO is proceeding full-speed ahead with cost recovery when its life expectancy is only eight months. "Next April, all food inspection services will be delivered through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, announced in this year's federal budget. Planning should commence now to ensure the transition takes place with as much industry input as possible. To move ahead with an interim program not endorsed by industry sends confusing signals about reducing duplication and creating a positive environment for doing business," he said. -30- Contact: Diane Kenny 902-424-0308 trp Apr. 24, 1996 - 10:00 a.m.