Fred Steele
The past few years have seen a lot of positive change in the tree fruit industry and many more changes are on the way. Everything from long term replant to meeting our needs for labour. The BCFGA is working with labour on two fronts - through the BCFGA Labour Orientation and Safety Program and the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program, and many growers employ travelers here from the International Experience Program for visiting workers.
After decades of decline, the tree fruit industry is making resurgence. Our industry shrunk on an annual basis for thirty-two years, and in the last year, that trend has been reversed. We now show growth in acres planted.
We are looking to new varieties and expanding production to be export-ready and to meet the demand of changing world markets. We are adapting to the environment around us by exploring integrated pest management policies and employing new methods with nutrients and irrigation methods. We are in turn faced with new pests coming in shorter time lines and regulatory changes creating a blizzard of paperwork.
We are committed to addressing;, environmental concerns, regulatory changes, new varieties, quality, food safe controls and promoting healthy eating with quality products. To do this, there is a side two to the equation and that’s commitment from our suppliers, concentrating on buy local, continued cooperative efforts to maintain such programs as Sterile Insect Release and cooperation with local governments to make sure we are in the thoughts and plans of future community growth.
We also need continued consumer support and awareness of what we do that we might forge a better understanding, not only of our contribution to community and how important we are to each other.
In B.C., it is one of the most exciting times, the provincial election. At this time, I would like to provide some indication of what the Tree Fruit Industry and agriculture needs in this province in order that together the people and farm community can ensure we’re a productive contributor to the economy and that we provide an abundant supply of healthy nutritious food for our citizens.
For those seeking election here are some priorities to consider:
• We need to see increases to the Environmental Farm Plan funding.
• More funding for Food Safe Programs as all of agriculture transitions to change.
• We need to address wildlife issues, in the form of fencing for orchards, vineyards and haystacks.
• If we are going to meet the demand for increased production and quality control, to be a companion to our investment, we need a Tree Fruit Development fund.
• The demand for replant has surpassed anything imagined by the industry or government and more resources will be needed should the pace of demand continue.
The Province is moving in the right direction, creating demand and markets for BC products. In preparation to reaching our goals, some fundamental building blocks must be developed to ensure the success we are all working to achieve.
Farm labour is a major issue. The industry depends on Seasonal Agriculture Workers and housing has become a major cost to the industry. It should be noted in other international jurisdictions, farmers do not bear the cost of this alone. We are going to need an investment partnership to address this issue and the sooner it happens the more cost effective it will be.
Re-negotiation of the Columbia River Treaty, we believe, should carry a trust fund for programs, much like the Columbia River Trust was established for Kootenay residents when the original agreement was inked fifty years ago. Such a fund would compensate farmers in the interior that were also impacted by the original agreement.
In addition to monetary partnerships, we need the goodwill of the provincial government to take a role in advocacy positions on vital interests to the industry. We are requesting the provincial Minister of Agriculture support our efforts to achieve a national renewal and rejuvenation program of the tree fruit industry.
Farmers know this as the bare ground program and such a fund requires investment from industry to access the funding available. This would be for investment in packinghouses and associated infrastructure. We need the provincial government to advocate for a re-introduction of the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act or (PFRA) to help growers with water wells to enhance their water supply.
Last but by no means least, we need action at the federal level to replenish the ranks of a number of science specialists, especially a weed, plant nutritionist and a cherry breeder.
The Tree Fruit Industry and agriculture are prepared to meet the challenges of the future, in a partnership with the mutual respect of various levels of government. Together we can meet the challenges of the future for the present generation and beyond. ■
Fred Steele, BCFGA
