Two politicians from Nova Scotia, including a Liberal Member of Parliament, are urging the Canadian government to reverse its decision to shut down seven federal agriculture research farms, one of which is a historic site in the Maritimes. In January, Agriculture Agri-Food Canada announced the layoff of 1,043 employees as part of eliminating around 665 positions, leading to the closure of a facility in Nappan, Nova Scotia, and six others nationwide.
Milton Dyck, president of the union representing 2,500 Agriculture Agri-Food Canada workers, expressed concerns about the potential job losses at the Nappan Research Farm, which has been operating since 1887 and is one of Canada’s original experimental farms. Dyck emphasized the need for the government to reconsider the decision to shut down these research centers to ensure ongoing research continuity.
Kent MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Cardigan, P.E.I., highlighted that a significant portion of the costs at the Nappan facility was attributed to maintenance. However, revenue generated from beef sales at the farm reportedly outweighed these costs, raising questions about the decision-making process behind the closures. Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, Independent Member of the Legislative Assembly for Cumberland North, echoed these concerns during a committee meeting in Ottawa.
Alana Hirtle, the Liberal Member of Parliament for Cumberland-Colchester, has also appealed to Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to provide additional information and reconsider the closure of the Nappan Research Farm. She emphasized that if closure is inevitable, the assets should not be wasted but should instead benefit the broader agricultural community.
Reynold Bergen, a science director at the Beef Cattle Research Council, emphasized the interconnectedness of research sites across the country and expressed disappointment over the closure of the Nappan facility along with others in Quebec City and Lacombe, Alta. He stressed the importance of research diversity across different regions and soil types.
Heather Bruce, the dean of Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, mentioned the challenges faced by post-secondary institutions in taking on the research work currently conducted at the Nappan Research Farm. Agriculture Agri-Food Canada assured that forage breeding research would continue at the Kentville research farm in Nova Scotia, emphasizing ongoing collaborations with regional partners.
The decision to shut down these research facilities has raised concerns among stakeholders and industry experts, who highlight the value of the research being conducted and the potential loss of valuable knowledge and resources. The impact of these closures on the agricultural sector, research continuity, and collaboration efforts remains a topic of discussion and debate among policymakers and stakeholders.