The Fruit and Vegetable Growers of Canada (FVGC) Apple Working Group met on March 11 in Québec City. This group includes representatives from each of the five apple-producing provinces including growers and provincial association staff. Ontario is represented by Charles Stevens (AWG chair), Brian Gilroy, Cathy McKay, and Kelly Ciceran.

The working group discussed:

• -  Development of a Promotion and Research Agency for Canadian Apples

• -  2024 market conditions and crop issues

• -  Trade and market trends and issues, including tariff discussions and country of origin labelling

• -  Crop protection issues and needs

• -  BRM needs

• -  New variety name and branding announced for Sunpunch™.

The working group is aligned in many areas and works well together to ensure that the concerns and needs of the Canadian apple grower are forwarded to FVGC and the federal government.

At the FVGC AGM, the main topic was the U.S. trade war and supporting the horticulture sector during this time of uncertainty. Resolutions included:

• -  US Tariffs and Review of Interprovincial Trade

Barriers in Canada

• -  Urgent Focus Required to Address the Unstable International Trade Environment.

• -  Increased Resources to the AAFC/CFIA Market Access Secretariat

• -  Changes to the AgriStability Program

• -  Federal Regulations on Plastics

• -  Consolidation and Reduction of Audit Requirements

• -  Recovery of all Applicable Sales Taxes on Renovation for Housing for Agricultural Temporary Foreign Workers

• -  Restoring Capacity and Output of the Minor Use Pesticide Program with Permanent Funding of the Pest Management Centre and PMRA

• -  Expedited Approval for the Use of Sprayer Drones for Pest Management and Subsequent Expedited Pesticide Label Amendments

• -  Predictable Process for Pesticide Label Changes

• -  Horticultural Research and Facilities Funding and

Staffing Support

Source:  Ontario Apple Growers April 14, 2025 newsletter