GLAVINE: NOVA SCOTIA CHRISTMAS TREE INDUSTRY ATA CROSS ROADS
Date: Monday November 23, 2009

(Halifax, NS) Liberal natural resources critic Leo Glavine is urging
the Dexter government to work with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency (ACOA) to ensure that the province’s Christmas tree producers
receive the help they need to remain viable.

“Nova Scotia’s Christmas tree producers understand the huge
regional potential for their industry,” says Glavine “They’ve
partnered with producers from the three other Atlantic Canadian
provinces to seek research and development funding from ACOA - funding
that is vital to the future of this important rural industry.”

The interprovincial partnership, known as the Atlantic Canada Christmas
Tree Research and Development Consortium, has submitted a proposal to
the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) administered by ACOA. The ‘SMART
Christmas Trees and Technologies Initiative’ proposal focuses on the
development of genetic, environmental and marketing protocols needed to
expand the industry’s Canadian and international markets.

“The Christmas Tree industry has a long and successful history in
Nova Scotia,” explains the MLA for Kings West. “It’s an industry
that injects $30 million into our province’s economy on a yearly basis
and producers believe the impact can be even greater.”

The consortium’s ‘SMART Christmas Tree’ proposal aims to set
Atlantic Canada’s Christmas tree industry apart by developing the
longest lasting, most environmentally-friendly and highest quality
products in the world. The innovative research project will help Nova
Scotia producers reclaim some of the United States and Caribbean
markets.

“The Christmas tree industry doesn’t typically seek government
assistance, but this is a critical project for producers," Glavine
states.

“I’m hopeful that the Dexter government will support the
industry’s initiative and work with the federal government to make
certain this proposal is a priority.”

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