BCFGA Annual Meeting Peaceful ‘parliament’ for growers


GMO apple issue generates themost debate among delegates.


By Judie Steeves C


ontrary to some annual conventions of the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association, the 126th one, the 2015 version, was marked by a distinct lack of controversy.


No apples were thrown in anger; few voices were raised except above the din; the executive was not overthrown; and most of the 32 resolutions were passed with little to no discussion. The exception was a civilized difference of opinion regarding genetically-modified apples. With approval in February by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for Neal Carter’s non-browning GMO apple varieties to be grown and sold in the U.S., there’s been much talk about the “slippery slope” of approving GMO products.


Carter’s Okanagan Specialty Fruits of Summerland has been growing them for the past dozen years, but this allows the company to export them to the U.S


A similar application to Health Canada has not yet been approved. And, the BCFGA has resolved again this year to oppose the registration and introduction of GMO tree fruits because of concerns about the negative economic impact due to adverse market reaction and public opinion about them.


The unanimous vote in favour of the resolution by delegates came despite the objections of Summerland grower Keith Carlson, who said it’s only a matter of time before the GMO Arctic apple comes to Canada.


“Let the marketplace decide. The science is not going away. Let the science determine the safety of the product for consumers. Growers can decide whether or not they want to grow it,” he told delegates. However, delegate John Casorso commented, “We’re a 126-year-old industry and we haven’t run out of the ability to come up with different varieties without crossing the genetic boundary.”


Fellow delegate Denise MacDonald agreed, saying, “There could be untold repercussions on the industry; consequences down the road” if GMO apples are approved in Canada. Delegate Amarjit Lalli called GMO a ‘grey area’ and said Arctic apples haven’t been around long enough to know yet whether there could be problems with them down the road. “We should be careful,” he said. Although BCFGA president Fred Steele says Quebec growers are also


concerned about the use of GMO tree fruits in Canada, growers in Ontario have no policy on the issue, according to Kelly Ciceran of the Ontario Apple Growers.


Less controversial resolutions were passed easily: expressing thanks for the replant program but asking for some minor changes; as well as ones asking for changes to production insurance, the AgriInvest program, the Environmental Farm Plan and food safety programs, and ones asking for increased funding for them. More farm-to-table opportunities within the ALR were also advocated. Growers asked that the federal government ensure the apple and cherry breeding programs at the Pacific Agri-food Research Centre continue and that the Sterile Insect Release program (which growers voted to support again) be used to promote the environmental friendliness of the industry in B.C.


Funds to help with deer fencing are an issue that growers are concerned about, as is the continuation of the Starling Control Program and the wood chipping program.


Delegates support development of a valley-wide drought management plan with the Okanagan Basin Water Board and also the province’s proposal to require that the term organic only be used when a product is certified organic.


A critical Pest Control Plan for Apple Maggot, a pest that has not yet appeared in B.C. orchards, is required, and should be funded by the province, resolved delegates.


US biotech firm buys OSF for $41M By Judie Steeves A 18


lmost immediately after receiving approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to deregulate the first two Arctic varieties of genetically-modified, non-browning apples, the Summerland company that owns them, Okanagan Specialty Fruits, announced Feb. 27 it has been sold to the Intrexon Corporation of Maryland for $41 million.


OSF shareholders will receive $31 million in Intrexon common stock and $10 million in cash. Intrexon is a synthetic biology company focused on collaborating in the health, food, energy and consumer


sectors to create biologically-based products. OSF founder Neal Carter of Summerland said his company is committed to bringing “better versions of consumers’ favourite fruits to their grocery stores and kitchens, while addressing additional novel traits in tree fruits that reduce waste and address supply chain challenges.”


The company currently has a similar deregulation request in front of Canada’s Food Inspection Agency, but it’s a move that's opposed by the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association because of concerns about a consumer backlash against GMO apples.


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Spring 2015


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