Agriculture Land Review Underway
Review of Nova Scotia's existing Agricultural Lands Underway
Committee seeks public input - meeting schedule announced
The short and long term future of the existing agricultural lands in Nova Scotia will be the subject of a province wide consultation later this month. The public consultation will focus on the preservation of prime agriculture land; how much land is needed to sustain the population of Nova Scotia; whether land uses that are incompatible with agriculture, such as private homes, hospitals, day cares, etc., should be restricted from agricultural areas; and what role society as a whole needs to play in determining the future of Nova Scotia's agricultural lands. John MacDonnell Minister, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture has appointed a committee to conduct the public consultation and study.
Agricultural Land Review Committee (ALRC) Chairman, Richard Williams underscored the mandate of the public consultation, "it is essential that all Nova Scotians play a role in defining the future of our natural and cultivated agricultural resources." Nova Scotia has a limited amount of agricultural land remaining. According to the 2006 census, there is approximately 181,915 hectares of active farmland in Nova Scotia with concentrations in the Annapolis Valley region, the Musquodoboit, Shubenacadie, and Stewiacke Valleys, along the North Shore region, Antigonish County, portions of Cape Breton Island and Lunenburg County, with some smaller pockets scattered throughout the Province.
A series of eight (8) public meetings will be held province-wide to gain insight from stakeholders and the community at large. The first public meeting is scheduled for January 27th in Halifax, followed by Antigonish on February 3rd, Sydney on February 4th, Stewiacke on February 10th, Oxford on February 17th, Lunenburg on February 24th, Yarmouth on February 25th and Berwick March 3rd. People can also make submissions via email, online at www.NSAGLANDREVIEW.com or at regional Access Nova Scotia offices.
ALRC Chairman Williams added that the measures being taken to consult Nova Scotians, "will ensure that the public has a broad range of vehicles for commentary and input, as we look to determine what the future holds for Nova Scotia's agricultural lands."
For more information please visit www.NSAGLANDREVIEW.com for background materials, and important public meeting notices or visit your local Access Nova Scotia branch to obtain a hard copy of the background materials.
Complete schedule of public meetings and venues:
• Halifax, January 27th Halifax Forum 7-9 pm
• Antigonish, February 3rd Claymore Inn Antigonish 7-9 pm
• Sydney, February 4th - Membertou Convention Centre 7-9 pm
• Stewiacke, February 10th Stewiacke Fire Hall 7-9 pm
• Oxford, February 17th Oxford Lions Hall 7-9 pm CANCELLED Will be re-scheduled at a later date
• Lunenburg, February 24th Lunenburg Fire Hall 7-9 pm
• Yarmouth, February 25th - Rodd Grand Hotel 7-9 pm
• Berwick, March 3rd Berwick Fire Hall 7-9 pm