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Feds, province help NS fruit growers with fire blight

January 27, 2016  By Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada


Fire blight damage on an apple tree

January 27, 2016, Ottawa, Ont – The federal and Nova Scotia governments recently announced an initiative to help Nova Scotia tree fruit growers recoup the cost of managing fire blight.

The Fire Blight Initiative will provide up to $2.69 million to assist Nova Scotia’s tree fruit growers with an industry-led strategy to bring fire blight under control and minimize the potential for damage in the future.

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“On behalf of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers Association, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the federal and provincial governments for approving this AgriRecovery support program,” said Andrew Parker, president of the NSFGA. “This will help the Nova Scotia apple industry reinvest money to continue to produce high-value fruit and capitalize on the strong export market the industry has developed.”

Post-tropical storm Arthur caused significant damage to Nova Scotia apple and pear orchards in 2014, resulting in a province-wide outbreak of fire blight affecting 95 per cent of orchards.

This initiative is being delivered under the AgriRecovery Framework, which allows governments to respond to unforeseen natural disasters that result in extraordinary costs for producers.

Information on how to apply will be available in the coming days from AgPal and through the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture.


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