News Release Archive
AGRICULTURE/MARKETING--ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP ----------------------------------------------------------------- Agriculture and Marketing Minister Wayne Gaudet announced today that an environmental working group has been established within the Department of Agriculture and Marketing. Mr. Gaudet said, "Environmental challenges facing agriculture are a growing concern for both the industry and the department." In response to this, he has realigned existing staff and resources to form the working group to identify and resolve agri-environmental challenges that face the industry. "In 1995, the Department of Agriculture and Marketing entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Nova Scotia Department of Environment," said the minister. "The memorandum established the foundation for cooperation between industry and government on environmental issues. It further established an Agricultural Activities Advisory Committee (AACC) tasked to identify priority agri-environmental needs, and recommend required responses and actions." Mr. Gaudet said that the establishment of the group is an important step. The group's mandate is to develop and implement solutions to environmental problems facing agriculture through research, education, training and legislative change. It will also provide a proactive agri-environmental process which will help to identify and resolve agri-environmental challenges in the future. The group will work closely with industry on these issues. The minister said, "It is important to focus department services and ensure that financial and human resources are dedicated to the areas of highest priority." The environmental working group assumed its responsibilities in April. -30- Contact: Mike Langman 902-893-6557 trp May 15, 1996 - 11:18 a.m.