Participants in some of the most inclusive and far-reaching fisheries, forestry and agriculture roundtables are showing unprecedented unity and resolve as they collectively prepare a plan of action for potential U.S. tariffs and establish a long-term vision for growth and development. The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, hosted a series of roundtables with the province’s three renewable resource sectors.

The launch of the fisheries roundtables saw what may be the largest and most diverse assembly in Newfoundland and Labrador’s fisheries history. Minister Byrne was joined by the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister Responsible for Labour. The sector demonstrated unity and a desire to work cooperatively. Specific actions will be taken immediately, including key discussions with the federal government around an early start to the snow crab season and financial supports and flexibilities for the sector. Minister Byrne is making nearly $6 million of provincial funding available to support market diversification initiatives.

Minister Byrne met with forest sector representatives from the province’s sawmill and paper industries, for a wide-ranging discussion. The group reflected on how the Provincial Government could work with the forest sector to reduce costs in the face of tariffs, and to help diversify markets, with expansion into Europe being a possible option. Expanding the local domestic market for Newfoundland and Labrador’s forest products and utilizing more lumber production at home are also key factors.

Minister Byrne hosted an enthusiastic discussion about the province’s agriculture sector with representatives from the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture; fruit and vegetable, dairy, egg, chicken, sheep, honey and cranberry producer associations; and young farmers. While most food produced in Newfoundland and Labrador is consumed locally, there is great potential for growth and expansion of local products in the province’s grocery stores and restaurants.

Minister Byrne and agriculture sector representatives plan to explore opportunities to promote locally grown and produced products to ensure consumers have more options to buy local goods.

Minister Byrne and representatives from all three sectors have committed to continue working collaboratively to ensure these vital industries are well prepared to adapt to the uncertain and changing environment ahead and are actively looking to diversity markets for these products. The Provincial Government has also launched BuyFromNL, an awareness campaign encouraging citizens to choose products and services from Newfoundland and Labrador first, keeping money and jobs here at home.

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“The people who work in our renewable resource sectors – fisheries, forestry and agriculture – are facing a challenge of historic proportion. They face this challenge head on, with great courage, and a collective resolve to overcome. I am heartened to know that we are not working to maintain the status quo – we are working to grow. That distinction is our strength, and I am confident our industries will emerge reinvigorated and strengthened for the future.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture