N.B. news: Governments scraps plans to expand blueberry range [Video]

The newly-elected Liberal New Brunswick government is cancelling plans to allocate additional land for wild blueberries on the former Tracadie range.

A 2021 request for proposals that would have awarded roughly 830 hectares of land for new or enhanced blueberry processing has been cancelled, according to a news release from the province.

Roughly six per cent of the property, which covers more than 18,000 hectares of land and waterways, is committed for wild blueberry development.

“We recognize the importance of the wild blueberry industry and its economic benefit to the Acadian Peninsula and the province of New Brunswick,” said Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries Minister Pat Finnigan, in the release. “I also recognize the hard work and passion of New Brunswickers who work in this industry.

“However, we have been listening to the concerns of the local community and acknowledge the need to balance further development on the Tracadie range with …