Two new independent commissioners are being sought by the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission in order to boost decision-making capacity while limiting the perception of bias in commission decisions. A notice from the commission encourages candidates with previous experience as directors and the demonstrated skills needed to contribute to decision-making and oversight to apply. Candidates should …
CROPS
Tree fruits set for shakeup
The province released 19 recommendations last week that outline a vision for stabilizing BC’s troubled tree fruit sector, the culmination of a nine-month process launched in February at the annual convention of the BC Fruit Growers Association. “BCFGA is supportive and observe that the government recommendations have taken account of difficult times in the apple sector …
Grading standards shorten cucumbers
Consultations opened October 29 on new federal grade standards that could shorten the length of some Canada No. 1 cucumbers. While individually packaged long seedless cucumbers will still need to be a minimum of 11 inches to qualify as Canada No. 1, those sold by the dozen can max out a half inch shorter than …
US approves SWD parasite
Parasitic wasps have joined battle alongside berry growers in the fight against spotted-wing drosophila. US researchers have successfully petitioned the US Department of Agriculture to permit the release of Ganaspis brasiliensis for SWD control within the US. “This permit allows mass rearing and release of these parasites throughout the USA,” a team of researchers led by …
Produce drives BC exports
Canada’s ambitions of achieving $75 billion in agri-food exports by 2025 were set back by COVID-19, but the prospects remain bright as Marie-Claude Bibeau once more takes the reins of the department following September’s election. Farm Credit Canada released its annual review of trade shortly before Bibeau was sworn into cabinet this week, highlighting Canada’s …
Apple marketing commission proposed
An online forum tonight will discuss a proposal to form an apple marketing commission, similar to what exists for vegetables and cranberries, to improve grower returns. A survey of 21 growers earlier this year by Vancouver consulting firm Ference & Co. for the New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council, found that 81% were in favour …