Hope for Agriculture and Fisheries?
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Nova Scotian's should be pleased by Premier Rodney MacDonald's decision to realign the department of Agriculture and Fisheries into two separate entities.
"By creating a stand-alone Department of Agriculture we are acknowledging the extraordinary importance of our farmers and farming communities," said Mr. MacDonald. "Our agricultural communities have told us they needed a single-access point for their dealings with government, and we agree.
"As well, we feel that the traditional fishing industry and the emerging aquaculture industry deserve direct contact with provincial government employees. This is one way to make sure government does its part to help this vital industry thrive."
I have suggested in the past that Agriculture and Fisheries might do well to have their own departments. And yet I found myself surprised with the decision. I am also a little skeptical that much will change for agricultural and fisheries communities dealing with the government. This may prove to be a very excellent PR move but a very ineffective change. But I'm going to try and be optimistic.
I hope that Ron Chisholm finds himself well learnt in the issues surrounding his new cabinet post and that he does an A+ job. (It already sounds as though he may make an appearance at the Organic Conference being held in Wolfville, March 2nd to 4th.) But Liberal and NDP Agriculture Critics, Stephen MacNeil and John MacDonell along with Liberal and NDP Fisheries Critics, Harold Theriault and Charlie Parker will hopefully be there helping to ensure that the Agriculture, Fisheries, and Aquaculture communities are tended to with the utmost care, because that would be truly impressive.
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