Two politicians from Nova Scotia, including a Liberal MP, are urging the government to reverse its decision to shut down seven federal agriculture research farms, one of which is a historic site in the Maritimes. The closure announcement in January by Agriculture Agri-Food Canada led to layoffs for 1,043 employees and the elimination of around 665 positions, including the Nappan facility in Nova Scotia and six others nationwide.
Milton Dyck, the union president representing 2,500 Agriculture Agri-Food Canada workers, expressed concern that the Nappan Research Farm, established in 1887 as one of Canada’s original experimental farms, is at risk with the potential job losses. Dyck emphasized the importance of government intervention to prevent the research centers from shutting down and disrupting ongoing projects.
Kent MacDonald, MP for Cardigan, P.E.I., highlighted at a committee meeting that a significant portion of costs at the Nappan site were related to maintenance, but revenue from beef sales reportedly covered these expenses. Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin, Independent MLA for Cumberland North, questioned the government’s decision, citing over $400,000 generated from beef sales at the farm in the past year.
Alana Hirtle, the Liberal MP for Cumberland-Colchester, urged Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald to reconsider the closure of the Nappan Research Farm or ensure that its assets benefit the broader agricultural community if closure is inevitable. Reynold Bergen, a science director at the Beef Cattle Research Council, emphasized the collaborative nature of the research network across the country and expressed concern over the loss of valuable research at Nappan.
The decision to close the research farms, including Nappan, was criticized by industry experts like Bergen, who emphasized the importance of diverse research locations to address varying climate and soil conditions. Despite some researchers expected to continue with the federal department, uncertainties remain about access to long-standing research fields at the Nappan site.
Heather Bruce, dean of Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, explained at the committee meeting that post-secondary institutions face their fiscal challenges and may not be able to absorb the research work. Agriculture Agri-Food Canada assured that forage breeding research will persist at the Kentville research farm in Nova Scotia, emphasizing ongoing collaborations with regional partners.
The closure of the Nappan Research Farm and other agricultural research centers has raised concerns about the potential loss of valuable research, revenue streams, and collaboration opportunities within the industry. The decision to shut down these longstanding facilities has sparked calls for government intervention and reconsideration to ensure the preservation of agricultural research and development efforts.