BCFGA Convention


‘Sustainability’ sought for replant program


Budget boost includes $1.2million request for support fromVictoria. By Bryden Winsby


A


longer-termorchard replant programcontinues to top the B.C. Fruit Growers' Association financial wish-list and is themain reason for a 5.9 percent


budget increase approved during the association's annual convention in February. The 2014 financial plan calls for total spending of $2.95


million, compared with $1.855million in 2013. On the revenue side, the BCFGA is looking for $1.2million in support fromthe provincial government for what it calls a “sustainable” replant programto pick up where the current one leaves off next year. The existing programhas experienced big demand and


now has a waiting list. “We thought there would be enough, but not so,” BCFGA generalmanager Glen Lucas told those attending the convention. At this stage, he said, the province “has accepted our


Top growers honored


Julie Sardinha (Sardinha Family Orchard), Summerland


Golden Apple Award


Tony DiMaria, Lake Country


Centennial Compact Orchard Award


Surinder Singh Sohal, Lake Country


Soft Fruit Award


12


request and everything is positive so far.” However, just what theMinistry of Agriculture will do


with the request remained to be seen as this issue of BC Fruit Grower went to press. There was nomention of it in what FinanceMinister


Mike De Jong called his “boring, balanced budget” unveiled on Feb. 19, or in theministerial spending estimates that accompanied the $44.4 billion document. Total spending by the agricultureministry was pegged at


$80million for 2014-15, a rise of $1million over the previous year. The government's three-year plan indicates no increase for 2015-15 or 2016-17. Agministry spending for 2014-15 includes an increase of


$611,000 for the Agricultural Land Commission (to $3.516 million from$2.905million) and $2.3million for production insurance (to $12million from$9.7million). Replant was the topic of three resolutions passed at the


BCFGA convention. One of themcalls on Victoria to establish a long-term


sustainable program. It contends there is general acceptance that at least five percent of an orchardmust be replanted every year tomaintain viability. Another of the resolutions, fromthe north district,


requests that grant amounts be adjusted to reflect the fact that the costs of orchard replanting have increased considerablymore than the amounts provided under the current program. The third resolution notes that the current programlimits


replant assistance to land that has been in tree fruit production within the past five years. It asks that replanting support be expanded to include any fallow land and that other restrictions on programeligibility be reduced. As for the BCFGA’s budget, spending plans for this year


include $4,000 for the Tree Fruit Production Guide and $83,500 for special projects, among which will be assistance for growers inmonitoring the presence of SpottedWing Drosophila, a serious new pest of soft fruit and berries, first identified five years ago in British Columbia. A total of $30,000 has been earmarked for work under


the Tree Fruit Industry Development Fund, which in the past has assisted such efforts as improving the storage capability of Ambrosia apples. BCFGA administration costs are budgeted at $407,900, a


rise of $14,600 duemainly to increased advertising, facilities and catering, inspection and consulting costs. Office overhead, professional fees and staff wages are all


expected to decrease. The budget is forecast to be balanced. Revenues are


expected to include $247,000 in industry levies, $4,000 fromproduction guide sales, $30,000 fromthe industry development fund, $236,300 fromproject administration and $236,300 through a new “contribution agreement” with the reorganized Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation (PICO).


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2014


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