Province helps growers replant orchards

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• Growers want to replant to new varieties
• Orchardists receive replant funding
• Replant program change could flood the market with cherries
• Okanagan fruit growers 'very pleased' with promised changes to replant program
• Ag minister accedes to grower requests
• Government misled growers, says BCFGA

The Province is providing B.C. apple and tree fruit growers 

							
with $2 million to help replant low-value orchards with high-demand 
							
varieties. 
							

							
The program flows from the ministry's Agrifoods Strategy, and its 
							
goal to expand domestic markets through high-quality products by 
							
targeting the planting of premium varieties such as Ambrosia and red 
							
strains of Gala. The funding will help focus B.C. apple growers on a 
							
"right variety, right size, right grade" strategy to serve high-value 
							
fruit markets with apple varieties that thrive in B.C.'s climate. 
							

							
The program, which also includes a grafting and budding component, 
							
will operate for three years. Growers can apply to participate in the 
							
program at any time. 
							

							
The program will be administered by the BC Fruit Growers Association, 
							
in partnership with the BC Investment Agriculture Foundation. 
							
Applications will be reviewed by a small panel with representation 
							
from the Ministry of Agriculture, the B.C. Fruit Growers Association 
							
and independent growers. 
							

							
B.C.'s Agrifoods Strategy aims to expand domestic and international 
							
markets for B.C. foods by focusing on the production of high-quality 
							
products. The strategy is designed to lead B.C.'s agrifoods sector to 
							
a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017. 
							

							
Quotes: 
							

							
Agriculture Minister Don McRae - 
							

							
"The replanting program will support B.C.'s apple growers' efforts to 
							
meet consumer demand for high-value apples, and lead to expanded 
							
markets in and out of the province." 
							

							
"The funding will help ensure British Columbians have fresh, local 
							
foods while bringing employment and business opportunities throughout 
							
the fruit tree value chain." 
							

							
B.C. Fruit Growers' Association president Kirpal Boparai - 
							

							
"Growers welcome the announcement of the replant program. Our 
							
association has been working with the Province on ways to bring 
							
sustainability to our industry, through the formation of the Tree 
							
Fruit Industry Working Group and its recommendation for a Replant 
							
Program." 
							

							
"The BCFGA appreciates the confidence the Minister of Agriculture and 
							
the Okanagan MLAs have shown through this investment in the future of 
							
locally produced, healthy tree fruits in B.C." 
							

							
Quick Facts: 
							

							
* B.C. produced 97,000 tonnes of apples in 2011, with about 75 per 
							
cent sold in Western Canada. B.C. also had apple exports of $11 
							
million to USA, and $1 million to both Mexico and Vietnam. 
							
* In 2011, the Ministry of Agriculture created a Tree Fruit Industry 
							
Working Group with industry to identify the key issues impacting the 
							
profitability of the industry in B.C., and to make recommendations to 
							
ensure a strong, vibrant and sustainable future. The working group 
							
identified the benefits a replant program could bring. 
							
* From 1999 to 2011, B.C. tree fruit growers received more than $120 
							
million from the provincial and federal governments in response to 
							
weather-related losses and income-stability programs, as well as more 
							
than $30 million in other funding. 
							
* Today's funding is in addition to the $5 million federal-provincial 
							
Tree Fruit Marketing and Infrastructure Innovation. Deliverables from 
							
that program include the modernization of the Okanagan Tree Fruit 
							
Cooperative packinghouse announced in January 2012.