ANGUS, Ont. — The Ontario government seed plant in Angus, Ont., is slated to be closed next year. The National Post reports there are differing views on the effect the closure will have on the reforestation industry.
The ministry says the plant is losing roughly $1 million a year, with losses projected to soon reach $2 million when aging infrastructure and equipment is considered, according to the National Post.
Critics of the plan to close the facility say a year’s notice is not enough for the private sector to come up with an alternative source of locally-sourced seeds.
Ken Durst, the regional manager who oversees the Angus seed plant, is in the private sector’s ability to fill the gap, the National Post reports. Durst says the private sector already handles 80 per cent of seed extraction.
“At this point, they’re doing a good job of it,” Durst said. “We’re not a big player in this business.”
Read the full article here.
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There is a petition to urge the government to reconsider this decision here.