Feds, province provide a little help N


By Judie Steeves


one of the money has begun to flow yet, and it wasn’t exactly what growers had been demanding, but an infusion of $5 million in federal and provincial money was announced for the orchard industry in June. B.C. Fruit Growers’Association manager Glen Lucas said agreements and procedures for moving forward are just being established. Acommittee of government and industry has to be formed to consider applications for funding, and a government committee will give final approvals before any money is received.


The funds are to be directed toward new marketing opportunities, infrastructure and to further improve orchard pest management.


Lucas said packinghouse infrastructure likely will be one target for the funding, along with marketing for varieties created in Canada (such as Ambrosia) and promoting the health aspects of apples. Turning programs such as Sterile Insect Release into sustainable ones that continue to improve grower returns will be another focus, he expects. The money is to be spent over the next four years. The BCFGAhad made an emergency request to senior


envisions the cost of the rearing facility increasing in the coming years, to the point where reduced acreage and increased costs could result in a parcel tax rate that is double the current one.


“This would severely challenge the viability of the SIR program,” he wrote.


On the other hand, Sardinha noted adding more insect pests to the mandate of the SIR program would spread the cost of an area-wide program over a broader base without substantially increasing costs. He proposed the SIR facility in Osoyoos be privatized and that new insect pests be added to the program. Monitoring for pests such as Apple Clearwing Moth and Spotted Wing Drosophila could be taken on by the program, he suggested. More interaction between the Okanagan Tree Fruit Co-operative and SIR would help the program establish itself as a monitoring and compliance organization, he suggested.


He concluded by noting that the BCFGA supports the SIR program, but said financial sustainability must be achieved.


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2010 11


governments for assistance earlier this year, but that was turned down.


At the announcement in June, Okanagan-Coquihalla


MP Stockwell Day said he was hopeful the stimulus money would help growers through some challenging times. However, BCFGApresident Joe Sardinha said growers were disappointed they wouldn’t receive any direct assistance to help them get over these particularly turbulent times, when apple prices have dropped below the cost of production.


Sardinha said he is hopeful there will be some flexibility in how the money is used. Agriculture minister Steve Thomson said the best way people can support the orchard industry is to buy local fruit. Promotion pointing out the benefits of supporting local agri- food products is in the provincial government’s plans. The province is also putting $2.5 million into helping continue the school fruit and vegetable program, which buys B.C. produce, encouraging students to eat more fresh, local food.


Thomson noted the industry not only generates $900 million in economic activity, it also contributes to the region’s tourism industry.


He said $2 million of the $5 million is provincial money.


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