New Brunswick allowing blueberry harvesting under strict conditions amid Crown land closures

blueberries

The New Brunswick government says it will allow blueberry growers to harvest on Crown lands under strict conditions as other harvesting operations remain closed due to wildfire safety.

Earlier this month the government implemented a burn ban for the entire province and closed all Crown lands. They also prohibited all forest harvesting operations.

“Our top priority is safety, and limiting access to the woods is our best defence,” said Natural Resources Minister John Herron in a news release. “While we continue to battle wildfires in these unprecedented conditions, we are providing very strict criteria to minimize economic impact and support workers.”

Blueberry growers will be able to apply for permits to harvest on Crown lands or use Crown lands to access their private fields. All other blueberry production activities are still prohibited.

The peat industry can also apply for permits to safely process harrowed and stockpiled peat, but all other production and extraction activities remain banned.

Trucking on Crown land has stopped, save for mills facing critical inventory shortages and other exceptional circumstances.

“In these specific cases, the department has temporarily permitted overnight trucking of wood that was already roadside, with enhanced fire equipment and site monitoring requirements,” the release reads.

Forest management activities like tree planting, silviculture, forest roadwork and herbicide application are still prohibited.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.