Date: November 25th, 1999

APPROVED

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 November 24th, 1999.

 

Committee Members:

            Gavin Young    - Chair             Westbank Packers Ltd.

            Pedro Barata                            BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Oliver)           

Jack Barkwill                            BC Fruit Packers

Norm Filipenko                        Sun Fresh Coop

Glen Lucas                               BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Kelowna)

Joseph Lucich                           Grower

Hank Markgraf             BC Fruit Packers                                             

Brian Mennell                           Grower                                                           

Tom Ouchi                               Grower

Hugh Philip                               BCMAF Regional Entomologist                       

Wayne Still                               Similkameen Okanagan Organic Producers Assn.

            Peter Waterman                       Okanagan Similkameen Coop                                      

            Tim Watson                              South Valley Sales                                                       

                                                                                   

Guest:

            Bob Fisher-Fleming                  SIR Technical Committee - Chair                     

 

Committee Members Absent:

Paulo Araujo                            Grower                                                            Absent

Russell Husch                           BC Fruit Growers’ Association (Kelowna)        Absent

Jack Morley                             Okanagan Similkameen Coop  

Greg Norton                             Grower                                                            Absent

Gerry Shaw                              BC Tree Fruits                                                 Absent

Stan Swales                              Okanagan North Growers Coop                       Absent

Brian Witzke                            Grower                                                            Absent

 

SIR Staff:

            Dr. Howard Thistlewood          Program Director

            Elise Petersen                           Business Manager

Adrian McCluskey                   Information Officer

            Karen Nelson                           Recording Secretary    

 

Mr. Young called the meeting to order at 1:30 pm.

 

AGENDA TOPIC #1:

 

Mr. Young then questioned the Committee Members if the minutes from the last meeting on

November 16th, 1999 could be adopted.

 

 

 

Hank Markgraf then stated that on page 2, from the minutes, it notes that Bob Fisher-Fleming was unavailable due to his agenda. He then questioned Bob Fisher-Fleming if this was true, or was there another reason as to why he did not attend the meeting. It was then said that he was told that he did not have to attend the meeting.

Hank then asked for that phrase to be removed from the minutes.

After that change, a motion was then put forward.

 

Moved by Joseph Lucich         Seconded by Tim Watson

 

“ Accepted minutes for meeting dated November 16th, 1999.”

ALL IN FAVOUR

 

AGENDA TOPIC #2:

 

Howard went on to say that the Finance Committee felt that the Technical Committees decision on the options chosen should be followed. Staff were then asked, by the Finance Committee, to cast these options so growers are aware and sustainable. They felt that it should be ended now without false pretences, if the Program is not doable.

 

Howard then introduced Bob Fisher-Fleming as a guest speaker, on the Technical Committees behalf, regarding the SIR Options for 2000.

 

Bob started by explaining that Option 1 in each Zone was technically doable. Difficult to deal with, but that the Technically Committee felt that the proposals were technically doable, if the resources are available.    

This will mean, in Zone 3, an intense clean-up will be done.

Tom Ouchi then confirmed that, with that option chosen, that would mean that there would not be no mating disruption under SIR.

Hugh Philip answered by stating that that was true, but growers will still be asked to do mating disruption themselves, out of there own finances.

 

Bob then went on to note that the GIS was part of the Technical Committees original recommendation, and feel that it is still important for a central database to become established. It is a good, useful tool to maintain.

 

Bob then explained that the Budget was not a big issue for the Technical Committee.

Any pesticide trials done, the ministry was involved in helping finance.

Implementation Trial had not cost the Program a substantial amount.

Last Call cost approximately $15,000, but was a trial to use for Urban Sites and some orchards with high counts.

Bin trials were operational in developing solutions to problems down the road.

Data collection from large scale banding study (which was asked by the Technical Committee to do), was a value for the money and used as a tool.

Urban site inspections and banding was not excessive.

He also confirmed that the Technical Committee did not feel that any of these costs were excessive.

The Committee wanted to stick to just Codling Moth, no other pests, unless there are special situations in certain areas.

The Committee felt that that upgrading costs to the Facility should be cut to only half the cost. Maybe being done with the Facility after two years (depending on circumstances), or used for something else. That will be evaluated at a later date. But, no major building upgrades should be done. Half production is only occurring, so the cooling system should not be a problem.

 

Howard then stated that the States is also doing four different trials with Codling Moth at this time. Americans may be purchasing the moths from SIR, so we do not want to get rid of the Facility at this time for that reason. There is a possibility for revenue from sales if things work out.      

 

Gavin then questioned Bob about Buffer zones.

Bob stated that the Technical Committee felt that the 200 m is adequate and adopted, although agreed that 500 m would be better. Also, to tone down on Urban areas and work immediately on Orchard areas.

 

Howard then introduced a sample of the GIS Mapping produced by Grace Frank. These elements are done on damage and trap counts (number of larva).  Howard stated that he hoped to have all the maps produced before the public meetings. These maps will give growers much information on areas that need to be looked at, or where they can cut back. It is a very useful tool.

 

Bob then stated that he will be putting the Technical Committees Minutes forward to the Grower & Industry Committee. He then dismissed himself.

 

Elise then proceeded with the agenda. She started by showing overheads, that had also been distributed to the Committee. The actual comparison cost between the different options chosen from each Committee were:    Grower & Industry Advisory Committee     -           $4,624,713

                                                Technical Committee                                       -           $4,352,213

 

While showing the Estimated Expenses for Year 2000-20002, Elise noted that she thought that she could get the budget down a little.

In the year 2001, it would still have to be worked on to get it lower in each Zone.

She then showed the Revenue Comparisons from 60-80 acre. They are hoping to move the Escrow Agreement into next year.

Elise also noted that the Budget had elements of costs going up and down.

Brian Mennell then questioned if the SIR tax could be paid directly to SIR, and not to the Regional Districts.

Howard explained that it may come down to a legal issue with the Province.

Elise stated that she will look into it.  

Wayne stated that it would also be easier on Growers to pay three payments throughout the year, instead of one lump sum.

Elise stated that she would look into that matter as well.

 

Elise then continued with the overheads, and throughout discussion stated that SIR needs to show that we can carry the Program in 2002.

 

 

 

 

Howard stated that the plan is based on enormous reduction within two years. Working on more maintenance and moth mode. This should occur within 2-3 years in Zone 2. Then work into Zone 3 after Zone 2. After having maintenance in Zone 2, there should not have to be as many sprays (other than for monitoring), as done in Zone 1.

 

Committee than had discussion whether to change their previous Motion from the meeting dated November 16th, 1999.

 It was decided to get feedback, from each Committee Member, after coffee break.

 

Coffee break -  3:00 pm.

 

Feedback from each Committee Member:

 

Pedro Barata:  

§         Was not available at the last meeting, and did not vote on the last Motion.

§         Not comfortable going against the opinion from the Technical Committee.

§         Does not agree with the Motion from the Grower & Industry Committee. Agrees with the Technical Committee decision on their Options chosen.

 

Joseph Lucich:

§         Should wait until the Budget is produced before deciding.

 

Hank Markgraf:

§         Thinks that it would be nice to wait for the Budget, but feels that the Committee needs to respond to get the figures down on the Budget. He noticed that the Urban Budget still had stayed at the previous figures, but should be considerably down if the Options chosen by the Technical Committee was decided.

§         Wants to stay firm on the $60.00/acre for an initiative for the SIR Program to get costs down. This is a round about figure to have leeway with. But should be presented at $60.00/acre.

§         Feels bullied by the Finance Committee and Technical Committee into adjoining with their decision, and feels that the Grower & Industry should stress their own opinions.

 

Tom Ouchi:

§         Would like Zone 3 to accelerate – in need for massive clean-up.

§         Mating disruption would also help in Zone 3.

§         Cost factor comes into the effect and he understands that.

§         He thinks that maybe the Technical option would be acceptable.

 

Norm Filipenko:

§         Agrees with Technical Committees decision.

 

Peter Waterman:

§         Stood with the previous Motion.

 

 

Tim Watson:

§         Difficulty trying to achieve with $60.00/acre but is a good lever to keep the costs down.

§         Stood with the previous Motion.

 

Brian Mennell:

§         Still did not fully agree with resolution for $60.00/acre.

 

Wayne Still:

§         Reminded Committee that it was his Motion put forward from the last meeting.

§         Thought that maybe $60.00/acre is starting too low, and maybe it should be adjusted to $70.00, a cost to dicker with.

Hugh Philip:     

§         Wanted to understand what option the Committee wants.

§         He agreed to $60.00 an acre.

§         Change for a new technology need proper term to see how it properly works. SIR deserves a fair shot – that is why he wants Option 1.

 

Gavin then totalled up the Committees counts.

4 members were still somewhat for the previous Motion.

2 members were against the previous Motion.

2 members were on the fence regarding the previous Motion.

 

Discussion then grew amongst the Committee about changes to the previous Motion.

 

Motioned by Wayne Still         Seconded by Joseph Lucich

 

“To rescind the Motion put forward from Wayne Still and agreed on by the Committee from the meeting dated November 16th, 1999.”

ALL IN FAVOUR

 

A new motion was then put forward.

 

Moved by Norm Filipenko      Seconded by Tim Watson

 

“We support the Technical Committees decision on Option 1 for all Zones (with a buffer zone of 500 meters into urban areas).

 

We encourage the Board to negotiate a change in the escrow agreement, as an increase in the program speed should mean lower overall cost and a more rapid conclusion of the program as a whole, therefore a more rapid withdrawal program from the escrow agreement would be justified.

 

We encourage the Board to implement these proposals with a grower cost of no more than $60.00 per acre.”

ALL IN FAVOUR

 

AGENDA TOPIC #4:

 

Howard then introduced the recommendations on “How to poll Growers at Public SIR Meetings” for early December.

 

After discussion throughout the Committee, it was decided that:

 

§         Public meetings take place.

§         Mail out information with a voting ballot, a stamped envelope, and SIR’s address on it.

§         No phone calls.

§         Deadline date should be include into the mail outs for the Grower to have it done at a certain time frame. The Committee felt that December 15th, 1999 was a suitable amount of time.

 

Gavin adjourned the meeting at 4:20 pm

 

 

___________________________                                          ________________________

Chairman                                                                                  Secretary