Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones is disappointed that government has no immediate plans to compensate mink farmers in the province who are being forced to destroy their animals because of Aleutian disease.

In a meeting earlier today, Natural Resources Minister Kathy Dunderdale confirmed that any discussions regarding potential compensation for the mink industry will not take place in the near future. This is devastating news for farmers who believe their industry will suffer and their financial losses will be great as a result of the Aleutian disease problem.

"I was disappointed that the minister has not addressed this important issue," said Ms. Jones. "On the south coast of Labrador, two mink farms recently opened to jump start a new industry in this region of our province. Unfortunately, because of the financial hardships associated with destroying their animals, it could be the end of an industry before it even had a chance to get started.

"Government has known about these problems for quite some time and should have been developing a compensation program for the affected farmers. Instead, these individuals are now forced to destroy their livelihoods without any sign of financial help. I cannot understand why government is unwilling to provide any assistance when this growing industry has so much potential, especially on the south coast of Labrador.

"If we are to support and grow the mink industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial government must provide some sort of compensation to farmers who are negatively impacted by Aleutian disease. Without any help, government is doing an injustice to these individuals and the industry as a whole."