Cavendish Farms cuts 20 farmers

P.E.I.'s farming industry was dealt another blow Friday when it was learned that Irving-owned Cavendish Farms was cutting 20 farmers who normally grow for the company.

Agriculture Minster George Webster said Irving is cutting smaller growers with poor warehouse storage.

"These growers are going to do some soul searching on whether they grow in the open market on a speculative basis or the worse case, discontinue," Webster said.

"For the growers and processors, there is a very difficult situation and you know there is a long-term relationship with the government and no one likes to see business being lost."

The Cavendish Farms news spread around the International Potato Technology Expo in Charlottetown on Friday, capping a particularly difficult week for Island farmers

On Monday, McCain dropped 12 of its potato processing growers and reduced contracted acres by 25-30 per cent.

Maple Leaf announced on Thursday that it was closing its fresh pork kill line at the Larsen's plant in Berwick, where more than 40 per cent of Island hogs are sent.

Progressive Conservative Leader Olive Crane said the announcements by McCain, Maple Leaf Foods and Cavendish Farms demonstrate that the provincial government has to do something to help the industry.

"We have a province, a government, a minister of agriculture who has to come to the plate today and recognize just how disastrous this is for agriculture and for all P.E.I.," Crane said.

Ray Keenan, a long-time Souris farmer, said he doesn't think there is a quick fix to turn around the industry.

"It didn't happen yesterday, it's taken time to happen and it will take some time to get it back, for sure," Keenan said.