Two politicians from Nova Scotia, including a Liberal MP, are urging the Canadian government to reverse a decision to shut down seven federal agriculture research farms, including a historic one in the Maritimes. In January, Agriculture Agri-Food Canada announced layoffs for 1,043 employees as part of eliminating approximately 665 positions, leading to the closure of a facility in Nappan, N.S., and six others nationwide.
Milton Dyck, the union president representing 2,500 Agriculture Agri-Food Canada workers, expressed concerns about the potential impact on the Nappan Research Farm, which dates back to 1887 and is one of Canada’s original experimental farms. Dyck emphasized the need for the government to reconsider the closure in order to maintain ongoing research efforts.
Kent MacDonald, the MP for Cardigan, P.E.I., highlighted that a significant portion of costs at the Nappan site were related to maintenance, but revenue from beef sales reportedly exceeded these costs. Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, an Independent MLA for Cumberland North, questioned the government’s decision, citing the substantial revenue generated from beef sales and research at the farm.
Alana Hirtle, the Liberal MP for Cumberland-Colchester, urged Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to provide more details and reconsider the closure of the Nappan Research Farm. Hirtle emphasized the importance of ensuring that the farm’s assets benefit the broader agricultural community if closure is inevitable.
Reynold Bergen, a science director at the Beef Cattle Research Council, highlighted the interconnected nature of the Nappan site with other research facilities across the country. He expressed concerns about losing valuable research data and emphasized the significance of continuing research in diverse climates and soil types.
Despite discussions about the potential for post-secondary institutions to take on the research work, Heather Bruce, the dean of Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, indicated that current fiscal challenges would hinder such efforts. Agriculture Agri-Food Canada confirmed that forage breeding research will persist at the research farm in Kentville, N.S., while emphasizing ongoing collaborations with regional partners.
The closure of the Nappan Research Farm has raised questions and concerns from various stakeholders, underscoring the importance of preserving valuable research and maintaining collaborations in the agricultural sector.