Private sector investment yields results
posted:
Jul 14 2010Porter, Chuck
WINDSOR – Collaboration between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island poultry farmers and Maple Lodge Farms is resulting in a new and efficient, $46-million processing plant located in the Kentville Industrial Park.
“I am encouraged by the successful partnership between farmers and Maple Lodge that has resulted in the construction of the new processing plant,” said Progressive Conservative Agriculture critic Chuck Porter. “Nearly half of Nova Scotia’s poultry farmers have been without one since the closure of the Canard plant in 2007. I think this investment is a significant sign of the growing industry in processing.”
The processing plant will be funded only by farmers and Maple Lodge Farms. The Hants West MLA is calling on Agriculture Minister John MacDonell to publicly recognize the importance of the announcement to the future of the industry in Nova Scotia.
“This $46-million investment will not only result in hundreds of construction jobs as the plant is built, but it will create spin-offs, such as more work for live-haul truckers,” said Porter. “I think we will be the envy of the poultry industry in Atlantic Canada, and still there has been no word from the Minister.”
Slated to open in 2012, the processing plant announcement is breathing life into an industry that has had its fair share of setbacks over the past year.
“Through the hard work of the Nova Scotia Poultry Industry Strategic Planning Committee and Maple Lodge Farms, poultry farmers in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island will soon have access to a state-of-the-art processing facility close to home,” said Porter.
Boasting exports of approximately 197,000 kilograms of chicken annually, Nova Scotia is home to over 80 chicken producers, of which 90 per cent operate in Kings County.
-30-
For more information, please contact:
Sarah Reeves, Communications Officer
Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Caucus
902.424.7723 (office)
902.499.9948 (mobile)
