SIR GROWER/INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES of the Grower/Industry Committee meeting of the OKANAGAN-KOOTENAY STERILE INSECT RELEASE (SIR) PROGRAM held at the Pacific Agriculture Research Centre in Summerland, BC on February 9th, 2000.

 

Committee Members:

            Gavin Young    - Chair             Westbank Packers Ltd.

            Pedro Barata                            BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Oliver)           

Norm Filipenko                        Sun Fresh Coop

Joseph Lucich                           Grower           

Jack Morley                             Okanagan Similkameen Coop                                                  

Hugh Philip                               BCMAF Regional Entomologist                       

            Stan Swales                              Okanagan North Growers Coop

                                                           

                                                                       

Committee Members Absent:

Jack Barkwill                            BC Fru it Packers                                                         Absent

Russell Husch                           BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Kelowna)                    Absent

Hank Markgraf             BC Fruit Packers                                                          Absent

Brian Mennell                           Grower                                                                        Absent

Greg Norton                             Grower                                                                        Absent

Tom Ouchi                               Grower                                                                        Absent

Gerry Shaw                              BC Tree Fruits                                                             Absent

Peter Waterman                       Okanagan Similkameen Coop                                       Absent

            Tim Watson                              South Valley Sales                                                        Absent

Brian Witzke                            Grower                                                                        Absent

 

SIR Staff:

            Howard Thistlewood                Program Director

Rob Gauthier                            Zone 1 Manager

Bob Fugger                              Zone 2 & 3 Manager

Adrian McCluskey                   Information Officer      

            Karen Nelson                           Recording Secretary    

 

Mr. Young called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM

 

AGENDA TOPIC #1:

 

The minutes of the January 12th, 2000 meeting were approved as circulated.

 

Moved by Joseph Lucich         Seconded by Norm Filipenko

 

“ Accepted minutes for meeting dated January 12th, 2000.”

CARRIED

 

 

 

 

 

AGENDA TOPIC #2:                                                                                            

 

Gavin then asked for an update regarding the Creston Area.

 

Howard stated that Adrian McCluskey would give most of the update since he has been dealing with Creston issues. Howard also noted Stephanie Sweet is no longer with the SIR Program.  

 

Adrian then distributed letters that were from Growers for and against the Program. Main points discussed by Adrian:               

§         31 letters were distributed from owners who want to end the SIR Program.

§         6 of those letters were backyard homeowners.

§         3 Growers have again denied SIR access on their property. This is a total of 21 acres.

§         14 Growers signed a letter for the Program to continue.

§         Regional District Director from Creston is not for the Program – and that issue will be discussed at the next Board Meeting.

§         As requested by the Grower & Industry Committee, the SIR Program will go forward into looking for 2 Representatives for the Creston area.

 

Howard then showed the Committee an area wide map of Creston and stated the following points:

 

§         Wants a proper technical review of the area.

§         50 owners have less than an acre, but are still being taxed. New taxation regulations will be reviewed by the Board.

§         Many Commercial Growers want to continue with the Program.

§         400-420 acres are Commercial Growers.

§         Program would be jeopardized if problem sites were ignored.

§         Education is needed for the Creston area – as to what the Program is able to provide.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #3 & #4:

 

The Committee then discussed on what advice they could give the Board on how to divide Compliance Grants to Growers in Zones 2 & 3. It was noted that they had put a motion forward to the Board on how to divide the Compliance Grant, but acceptable levels of compliance should be established.

 

After discussion, the following motion was then put forward.

 

 

 

Moved by Stan Swales            Seconded by Joseph Lucich

 

“ Move that the Compliance Grant be divided evenly between all Growers in Zones 2 & 3 on the following basis:            1)         Zone 3 Conventional Growers have responded to the need to spray                                                            for first brood.

2)                  Zone 2 Growers apply the first brood cover spray(s)

3)                  Organic Growers have taken the appropriate step to control Codling Moth prior to the onset of first brood.”

 

CARRIED

 

Coffee Break – 10:00 AM

 

AGENDA TOPIC #6:

 

Bob Fugger then discussed that Hugh Philip and Gary Judd will be holding a training session in Mr. W. Bulach’s Orchard at 1:00 PM, on March 7th, 2000 to train the trainers.

Training sessions will then be broken down throughout the area from April 3rd – 7th.

Something will be worked out with Stan Swales for the Zone 3 area.

 

Stan Swales noted that it would be good to put an insert into the Packinghouse Newsletters, stating that if any of the Growers are interested in hanging their own lures, they are to contact Bob Fugger at the SIR Program.

 

Bob Fugger then stated that the SIR Program was looking around the $12.00/acre range for compensation to Growers who hang their own MD Lures. Proper application has to be followed and results will be monitored prior to payment.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #7

NEW BUSINESS:

 

Hugh Philip stated that he had recently talked to Adoney, and discussed an evaluation area wide project to help register Last Call. Adoney is considering to use 500 hectares in Kelowna, and 500 hectares in Winfield. Hugh had asked Adoney to discuss the matter with the SIR Program for cooperation. Bob Fugger noted that time is very important.

 

After discussion throughout the Committee, the following Motion was put forward.

 

Moved by Stan Swales            Seconded by Norm Filipenko

 

“Urge the SIR Program to consider cooperation with IPM Technologies and evaluate an area wide application of Last Call in Zones 2 & 3.”

                                                                                                                                    CARRIED

 

 

   

Gavin adjourned the meeting at 10:45 AM

 

___________________________                                          ________________________

Chairman                                                                                  Secretary