Agricultural Land Review Committee

Agriculture

November 4, 2009 2:23 PM

Agriculture Minister John MacDonell announced today, Nov. 4, the members of the Agricultural Land Review Committee.

The committee will seek public input around the management and long-term future of the province's agricultural lands. Members are:
-- Rick Williams, Salt Springs, Pictou Co.
-- John Van de Reit, Shubenacadie, Hants Co.
-- Bill Swetnam, Centreville, Kings Co.
-- Patricia Bishop, Port Williams, Kings Co.
-- Lise LeBlanc, Newport, Hants Co.

"The Agricultural Land Review Committee will hold a series of public meetings because we believe Nova Scotians should have a say in how our prime agricultural lands are protected," said Mr. MacDonell.

"The committee will determine if adequate protection for agricultural lands already exist or whether additional steps need to be taken to further protect land."

A number of issues have been raised as to whether all prime agriculture land should be preserved and how much land is actually needed for food production. Other matters facing the committee include whether agricultural lands should be protected from non-agricultural developments, like private homes, hospitals, or day cares, recreational facilities, and the role society should play in any exercise to preserve land.

"Land use issues continue to be of interest to many people throughout the province, including municipal councils," said Ramona Jennex, Minister of Service Nova Scotia and Municipal Relations. "I am pleased to learn that this committee has been struck to get a clearer picture of the views of Nova Scotians."

The committee will hold public sessions early in 2010. A final report is expected in the spring.


FOR BROADCAST USE:

     Agriculture Minister John MacDonell announced today

(November 4th) the names of members of the Agricultural Land

Review Committee.
     
     The committee will seek public input around the management

and long-term future of the province's agricultural lands.

     Mr. MacDonell says the committee will hold a series of

public meetings across the province so Nova Scotians can have a

say in how prime agricultural lands are protected.

     Committee members include: Rick Williams of Salt Springs,

Pictou County; John Van de Reit from Shubenacadie, Hants

County; Bill Swetnam of Centreville, Kings County; Patricia

Bishop from Port Williams, Kings County; and Lise LeBlanc of

Newport, Hants County.

     A final report from the committee is expected in the spring.

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Media Contact: Celeste Sulliman
              Department of Agriculture
              902-424-0192
              E-mail: sullimcc@gov.ns.ca