ARPA decision still pending


Grower voting on apple research and promotion levy expected to conclude by spring.


By Judie Steeves A


fter a false start last spring, efforts will get underway again this fall to bring B.C. apple growers on board with those in Quebec and Ontario to approve a levy of $.002 a pound for the next five years for research and promotion. A vote is scheduled to take place early next year, beginning at the annual B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association annual general meeting near the end of January and continuing through February,


concluding with the


Horticultural Forum in March.


Glen Lucas, general


manager of the BCFGA,


explains that once a levy for


an Apple Research and Promotion Agency (ARPA) is approved by a majority of growers nationally, it can also be applied to fruit imported into Canada.


Essentially, that is expected to double the amount of money in the pot for Canadian promotion efforts. Already, both Quebec and Ontario have levies in place, with most of the proceeds directed to promotion. Nova Scotia hasn’t voted yet.


The hope is that the levy won’t actually mean the net cost to growers will increase at all, but that it will replace what they currently pay at the co-op, but Lucas said they are currently working on clarifying that.


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Growers will be informed what specific projects the levy would be used for, before they begin to vote on it, noted Lucas.


All apple growers would be involved both in paying the levy and in benefiting from projects, not just members of the Okanagan Tree Fruit Co-operative or the BCFGA, he noted. “With market downturns, growers are realizing they have to take matters into their own hands; to have marketing strategies to support their industry during difficult times,” he said.


The plan is to have a program to develop a brand name, for instance. Ambrosia growers already pay a higher levy than is being proposed and they would not be expected to pay more than they currently do. A council of


growers would be formed to manage the funds, but projects would be managed by the co-op, BCFGA or other industry groups.


If a majority of growers approve the levy, the council would be formed under the provincial Farming and Fishing Industry


Development Act,


and the levy authorized by the provincial cabinet, with a mandate to be renewed every five years by a vote of growers.


The levy would be collected at the first point of sale of fruit, generally the packinghouse, so Lucas said he is working with independent packers and their growers as well as the OTFC.


Packinghouses and processors would be responsible to report, collect and forward the levy, but growers selling direct to retail or wholesale outlets would have to pay it directly to the council.


Growers will receive more details of the ARPA proposal at this fall’s


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Fall 2012


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is a registered trademark of the Bayer Group. H-12-08/12-TCS12017-E district council meetings. Other provinces are eager for B.C.


growers to come on board, noted Lucas, in order that a national council could trigger levies on imports as well.


Members of the Apple Working Group of the Canadian Horticulture Council have resolved to support the provinces' approval of the levy.


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