Meet our Partners

SIR credits much of the program’s longevity and proven results to our strong partnerships with local governments, industry stakeholders, researchers, and residents, as well as our relationships with national and international agencies and experts in Integrated Pest Management (IPM). The program is a community area-wide effort that involves all our partners.

  • Partners Include:

    Regional Districts

    The SIR program is a service of four participating regional districts: Okanagan Similkameen (RDOS), Central Okanagan (RDCO), North Okanagan (RDNO), and the Columbia Shuswap (CSRD).

    Through their SIR establishment bylaws, the regional districts define the program’s structure and activities. The regional districts also advocate on behalf of the program and facilitate the collection of parcel and property value taxes.

    Regional District Okanagan-SimilkameenRegional District of Central OkanaganRegional District North OkanaganColumbia Shuswap Regional District

  • Growers

    Growers are responsible for developing sustainable pest management plans for their orchards – plans that integrate sterile insect release with other measures, as required. Growers cooperate with SIR program staff in insect monitoring and release efforts, and report moth infestations and the presence of unmanaged host trees. Growers support the program through parcel tax payments.

    Growers 1, SIR Program Growers 2, SIR Program

  • Residential Host Tree Owners

    Residential property owners with host trees are responsible for preventing the proliferation and spread of pests, including codling moths. Residential owners must allow access to their property by program staff and control codling moth infestations on their property.

  • Fruit Handlers

    Packinghouses and other fruit handlers assist growers in understanding codling moth biology, and methods (including sterile insect release) to deal with the insect. Fruit handlers are responsible for sanitizing fruit bins and containers.

    BCFGA1BC Tree Fruits

  • Fruit Tree Retailers

    Retailers may support the program by volunteering to participate in a sterile insect release Host Tree Registry. They advise buyers of the need to prevent infestation, and on the methods of prevention.

  • Senior Government Scientists

    Entomologists with both the federal and provincial governments provide technical advice on the rearing and release of sterile insects, as well on future directions for the program.

    British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture

    Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

    Canadian Food Inspection Agency

  • Collaborators

    Local, National and International organizations which the SIR Program has collaborated with include the following groups.

    FAO/IAEA Programme Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture OECD Okanagan College Plant & Food Research Rangahau Ahamara Kai UBC University of California University of Michigan USDA APHIS University of Washington