BCFGA Convention Program patently unfair, perhaps?
Delegates support call for expansion of GROU to help counter the high cost of pest control products.
By Judie Steeves M
ore chemicals should be included in a federal program allowing orchardists to bring them in from the U.S. for their own use, resolved those attending the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association annual convention in January.
Growers concerned about the high cost of chemicals in this province have the option of participating in the Pest Management Regulatory Agency’s Grower-Requested Own Use (GROU) program for some approved products.
However, BCFGA president Joe Sardinha noted those are only chemicals on which the patent protection has expired, so many are not listed as part of the program. “Even though the dollar is at par, we frequently pay 50 per cent more for these products,” he noted. The resolution growers approved called for an expansion of the program to include products with patent protection, so they could benefit from having competitively- priced pest control products. The GROU program allows growers to apply for a permit from the PMRA to import specified pesticides into this country for their own use only—not for re-sale or for use on land other than the growers’.
A GROU Import Certificate is required for all products brought in, and it is only available for the 27 products listed on the website at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/ pest/agri-commerce/import/_grou- piapda/
index-eng.php
An application, complete with proof of participation in an acceptable container disposal program, must be submitted to the PMRA for review and approval before a farmer can import the U.S. version of the Canadian-registered products
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JUDIE STEEVES
B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association president Joe Sardinha, vice-president Kirpal Boparai, and general manager Glen Lucas listen to discussion of crop protection resolutions.
on the list.
The GROU product must be purchased and imported by growers for their own use on their own land, and for one growing season only.
Before applying, growers must ensure there is a supply of the product available and that foreign certifications required to buy the product are obtained, including a
5000 to 6000 Box per day Capacity Modern Equipment Reasonable Rates Unitec Optical size with colour sorting 98% Accurate Up to 8 size Good Rain Drops Hydra Colour Great Market Contacts (Broker Available) References Available
Contact: Bill, Sukhi Sandher
Cell: 250-215-7397 or 250-718-6505 Email:
billsandher@hotmail.com
British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2011
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