Cascading events in the last two weeks – the closure of BC Tree Fruits Cooperative and the granting of creditor protection– led BC premier David Eby and his ag minister Pam Alexis to come to Penticton to meet with growers on August 13. They announced three changes.

• -  British Columbia is raising the AgriStability compensation rate to 90 per cent and double the compensation cap for all farmers for the 2024 program year. This will provide an estimated $15 million in immediate relief to farmers in need. This enhancement will help stabilize farm income and help farmers manage the increasing risk due to extreme weather. Late enrolment will also be available for producers not enrolled in the AgriStability program.

• -  The new Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency program will provide $5 million to help tree-fruit farmers buy equipment and pursue projects that were not eligible under previous programs. This will strengthen farm resilience and preparedness for extreme weather.

• -  The province is also temporarily exempting farmers from an Agricultural Land Reserve rule requiring that fruit processed on a property must also be produced there.

Sukhpaul Bal, president, BC Cherry Association, said: “The BC Cherry Association is pleased with today’s announcement by the B.C. government. Extreme weather events over the past five years have been devastating for agriculture in B.C., and as resilient as farmers are, this support recognizes these sudden changes in climate go far beyond what they can handle. Moving forward, British Columbia can and should be a leader in food production, but we recognize this needs an agricultural strategy that re-examines the entire food system and an unprecedented investment in agriculture. Finally, we would like to thank and acknowledge ministry staff for working tirelessly with industry leaders in providing this immediate support and we look forward to working collaboratively on long-term, sustainable strategies and solutions.”

To support the longevity and sustainability of the sector, Premier Eby and Alexis have directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food to begin developing, in consultation with industry, options for a one-time fund with an emphasis on smaller producers.  

“We are appreciative of the Province’s actions to support the tree-fruit sector, which has been grappling with significant challenges for the past four years,” said Peter Simonsen, president, BC Fruit Growers Association. “The enhancements to the AgriStability program and the introduction of the Tree Fruit Climate Resiliency program are positive steps toward stabilizing our industry, and we are particularly encouraged by the development of a one-time Climate Change Response Fund that can provide immediate relief to our farmers who are on the front lines of climate change. However, we must remember this is just the first step in a long journey. There is much more work to be done to ensure the sustainability and growth of our sector. We look forward to working closely with the Province and all levels of government to ensure the longevity of the B.C. tree fruit sector.”

The Province continues to work directly with producers to mitigate impacts of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative closure, including an industry-led emergency table created to find solutions to issues such as certifications for export, logistics and cash flow, as the Ministry of Agriculture and Food continues to connect growers to options for storage and packing facilities. The ministry has also been directed to explore options to support the co-operative's receiver and any private-sector interests in protecting certain functions of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative to meet the needs of growers.

Source:  British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Food August 13, 2024 news release