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 April 18th, 2001.

 

Committee Members:

            Gavin Young    - Chair             Westbank Packers Ltd.

Jack Barkwill                            BC Fru it Packers                                           

Charlotte Leaming                    Sun Fresh Coop

Denis Larose                            Grower

Joseph Lucich                           Grower

            Hank Markgraf             BC Fruit Packers

Hugh Philip                               BCMAFF Regional Entomologist                     

Wayne Still                               Organic Grower                                  

Peter Waterman                       Grower / Consultant                

Tim Watson                              South Valley Sales       

            Brian Witzke                            Grower                                                           

 

Committee Members Absent:

Pedro Barata                            BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Oliver)                     (absent)  

Nirmal Dhaliwal                        Okanagan Similkameen Coop                        (absent)

Brian Mennel                            Organic Grower                                                        (absent)

Tom Ouchi                               Grower                                                                     (absent)

Gerry Shaw                              BC Tree Fruits                                                          (absent)  

Stan Swales                              Okanagan North Growers Coop                                (absent)

                                                                      

Guests:

            Bob Fisher-Fleming                  Technical Committee Co-Chair            

           

SIR Staff:

            Bob Fugger                              General Manager

            Adrian McCluskey                   Public Relations Officer

            Karen Nelson                           Recording Secretary    

 

AGENDA TOPIC #1:

 

Opening Remarks

 

Gavin Young introduced the new Sun Fresh Co-op representative, Charlotte Leaming, to the Grower & Industry Committee.

 

Open discussion then carried forward throughout the Committee regarding the following:

·        Pheromone hanging by the SIR Casual Labour Crew.

·        Gavin Young approved as an SIR Board Member by the SIR Board Committee.

·        Trials taking place down south. Growers are interested in having these trials throughout the Osoyoos and Oliver area as well. Bob Fisher-Fleming will mention their points to the SIR Technical Committee at their next meeting on April 19th & 20th.  

 

After discussion, the Committee decided that for the next few months, if there are any Grower & Industry Committee meetings, they are to be scheduled for afternoons.

 

Approval of Minutes

 

Gavin questioned the Grower & Industry Committee Members for their approval of the minutes from the last meeting. After their review, the following motion was then put forward: 

 

Moved by Joseph Lucich         Seconded by Brian Witzke

 

“Accepted minutes for meeting dated January 31st, 2001.”

CARRIED.

 

Agenda Topic #4 was put forward on the Agenda due to Adrian McCluskey having to leave the meeting early.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #4:

 

Gavin noted that the SIR Board had stressed that there had been a communication problem throughout the Program. This had also been stressed in the letter by Corky Evans set up Committee in Creston (see attached letter issued to the SIR Board).

 

Denis Larose noted that communication is misinterpreted due to many people in Creston stating their own opinion.

 

Adrian McCluskey made the following points of how SIR is making an effort for the public to receive proper communication:

·        Information sessions done

·        Two newsletters out already this year.

·        Publicized on TV, radio, papers, and in display boxes throughout each zone. New incentive from the Program this year (gift certificates issued to homeowners for trees that have been removed).

 

Bob Fugger stated that CORD contributing by sending letters backyard homeowners with past-infested trees on their property – throughout buffer zones in the Kelowna area.

 

Tim Watson noted that the SIR Bulletin Boards need to be identified by putting an SIR sign on them, and list a contact phone number.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #2:

 

2001 Budget

 

Bob Fugger issued the following handouts:

·        2001 Final Budget

·        YTD Budget

·        SIR 2001 Parcel Tax Acreage – Final Assessment Roll

·        Letter to Penny Gambell (BCFGA) from Ed Conroy, Minister from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

·        Letter to Robert Dawson (OVTFA) from Ed Conroy, Minister from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.

·        News Release “Ministry Invests In Sterile Insect Release Program” from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and Minister Responsible for Rural Development.

·        Letter to Ed Conroy (Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries) from Carol McGowan, Secretary/Assistant Administrator from the Regional District of Central Kootenay.

·        Letter written from Corky Evans from the Creston Committee that Corky Evans sits on.

·        SIR Compliance Grant Program Appeal Guidelines and Procedures dated December 18th, 1995.

·        Page 3 from the SIR Grower & Industry Committee meeting minutes, dated February 90th, 2000 (re: motion carried for the Year 2000 Compliance Grant).

 

A)        Bob Fugger then reviewed the YTD Budget with the Committee.

B)        Bob then noted that NORD did not have SIR’s expenditures and receipts available at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AGENDA TOPIC #3:

 

Criteria For Compliance

 

Throughout discussion, the following motion was then put forward.

 

Moved by Charlotte Leaming              Seconded by Hank Markgraf

 

“The SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee move that the 2001 Compliance Grant be divided evenly between all Growers in all zones on the following basis:

 

1ST YEAR OF MATING DISRUPTION

2ND YEAR OF MATING DISRUPTION

MOTH RELEASE

·        2 cover sprays.

·        1.0% harvest damage.

·        Organic Growers have taken appropriate steps to control Codling Moth prior to the onset of first brood.

·        SIR Staff can override the criteria stated above, depending on circumstances.

·        2 cover sprays.

·        0.1% harvest damage.

·        Organic Growers have taken appropriate steps to control Codling Moth prior to the onset of first brood.

·        SIR Staff can override the criteria stated above, depending on circumstances.

·        0.1% harvest damage.

·        SIR Staff can override the criteria stated above, depending on circumstances.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARRIED.

 

Moved by Charlotte Leaming              Seconded by Peter Waterman

 

“The SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee move that any Compliance Grant appeals for 2001 will go forward to the Chairman from the SIR Grower & Industry Committee, and 3 Grower Representatives, chosen by the chairman, from the area in which the Growers orchard is located.”

CARRIED.

 

2000 Compliance Grant – Creston

 

Bob Fugger noted that the OVTFA Compliance Grant for 2000 had to still be issued for the Creston area. Bob questioned the Committee for their recommendations in this matter.

After discussion, the Committee put the following motion forward.

 

Moved by Denis Larose                      Seconded by Jack Barkwill

 

“The SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee move that any grower in the Creston area, who paid their 2000 parcel taxes, will be issued the 2000 Compliance Grant. SIR Staff can override the process, depending on circumstances.”

            CARRIED.

 

Moved by Hank Markgraf                   Seconded by Denis Larose

 

“The SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee move that in order for any Grower to receive the 2001 Compliance Grant, they must meet the requirements set forth in the Compliance 2001 motion and they must allow SIR free and easy access to assess those set requirements in all Zones.” 

            CARRIED.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #5:

 

Bob Fugger then handed out copies of the SIR Strategic Plan for 2001 – 2005.

He noted that some typos need to be corrected, and a good copy will be issued to the Committee members at the next meeting.

 

Bob then made the following points:

·        2001 – Mating Disruption for Zones 2 & 3. Releasing in Zone 1.

·        2002 – Releasing in Zones 1 & 2. Mating Disruption stops for Zone 2. Mating Disruption continues in    Zone 3.

·        2003 – Virtually no releases in Zone 1 (unless it is a hot spot). Transition needs to be taken place so that all moths are available for releasing in Zones 2 & 3.

 

Wayne Still then noted that SIR should not be releasing Sterile Moths in Zones 2 & 3, in wild populations that are too high. It has been known to not work with large counts, and it costs the Program too much money.  

 

Brian Witzke then questioned Bob Fugger if any trials can be looked at for quicker / easier / cheaper release of the Sterile Moths for Zone 2. Ex: airplane.

 

Bob Fugger noted some of the factors that need to be taken into consideration in order for SIR to have an airplane release.

 

Hugh Philip noted that it had been reviewed when the Program had first started, and their had been problems that steered them away from the idea.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #6:

 

New Business

 

Creston

 

Hugh Philip questioned that if Creston issues no support for the SIR Program, after 2001, what authority does the SIR Board have for Creston to maintain low levels of Codling Moth.

Bob noted that it would have to be reviewed from the compliance that occurs in Creston in 2001. He also mentioned that the SIR Board can pursue the legal right of entry on to properties, but has been reluctant to do so. We will have to see who does / doesn’t comply for 2001.

 

 

EPA for Pesticide Residue

 

The Grower & Industry Advisory Committee then put the following motion forward after discussion of EPA for Pesticide Residue:

 

Moved by Brian Witzke                      Seconded by Joseph Lucich

 

“Whereas enormous amounts of money have been issued from the Federal and Provincial Governments, and tree fruit Growers for the SIR Program and Growing With Care Program;

 

And whereas in order to get growers to produce a safer and healthier product for Canadian Consumers;

 

Therefore be it resolved that the SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee ask the PMRA to initiate a zero pesticide tolerance regulation on imported fruit with residues of pesticides not registered for use in Canada.”

            CARRIED.

 

Moved by Brian Witzke                      Seconded by Joseph Lucich

 

“The SIR Grower & Industry Advisory Committee requests that the SIR Board take the appropriate action concerning the above motion.”

CARRIED.

 

The meeting was then adjourned at 11:15 AM.

 

 

_______________________                                          ________________________

            Chairman                                                                                  Secretary