News release

Conference Addresses Agricultural Water Issues in Nova Scotia

Agriculture and Fisheries (Sept. 2000 - Feb. 2006)

AGRICULTURE/FISHERIES--Conference Addresses Agricultural Water Issues in Nova Scotia


Water management issues affecting agriculture in Nova Scotia will be discussed at the Scotia Water Management Conference in Coldbrook next week, March 26 and 27.

"Four of the last five years have brought drought conditions to Nova Scotia, seriously affecting crops and livestock in some areas," said Ernest Fage, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. "This conference will focus on water and environmental issues so we can create solutions for our agriculture industry."

The two-day conference will be co-hosted by the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture, the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA), Agricultural Development Institute and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. It will bring together government agencies and agricultural specialists from the farming community, industry representatives and the general public to discuss water availability for our agricultural industry.

The agenda sets out 15 presentations on issues like climate change, irrigation sources and storage, the PFRA water initiative under way in Nova Scotia, environmental issues and licensing requirements and controls. The final presentation, How Farmers Manage Water to Survive Drought, will be given by producers Greg Webster, Scott Newcombe and Richard Melvin from Kings County.

"Resource conservation and economic viability are critical to the long-term prosperity of the agricultural industry," said Doug Bacon, president of the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture. "Farmers are seeking the best information available and we are pleased to have the assistance of PFRA in designing future programs centered on achieving a productive agricultural industry while fostering sustainable land and water resources."

The conference, to be chaired by the department's water task group, will take place at the Wandlyn Inn in Coldbrook from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 26 and 27. Nova Scotia producers are encouraged to attend.

The conference is sponsored by PFRA so there is no registration fee. Producers are encouraged to pre-register by contacting the Agriculture Development Institute at 902-896-2345 or info@adil.ca .