Officials scramble for a solution for Okanagan farmers after BC Tree Fruits collapse
Government officials are scrambling for a solution now that Okanagan farmers need a new way to get their harvest to market.
BC Tree Fruit Cooperative is shutting down after 88 years, and the 300 farming families who relied on the cooperative to get their fruit to market need a solution.
Kelowna’s mayor Tom Dyas released a statement today, Aug. 2, to announce a deal with Sandher Fruit Packing.
The government recently fined Sandher Fruit Packing $78,000 for improper wastewater disposal, and the city has decided to help out so growers can work with the fruit packer without concerns about water disposal.
"In response to the neighbouring community’s concerns regarding wastewater disposal processes, I am pleased to advise that the city will assist the fruit growing industry by entering into an arrangement with Sandher Fruit Packing for wash water disposal on a limited term basis while they work through their Provincial approval for a longer-term solution,” Dyas said in the statement.
READ MORE: Fruit packers near Kelowna fined another $78,000
The city has no direct influence on what farmers decide to do, but it announced this arrangement as a temporary fix until the industry finds an independent solution, or the provincial government steps in.
As farmers are trying to figure out what they are going to do with their produce, politicians are lobbing up their own answers. BC United and the BC Conservatives are criticizing the sitting NDP government for a lack of intervention.
The BC Conservative Party chimed in with criticism of Premier David Eby ahead of the election in October.
“The closure of the BC Tree Fruits Coop is a direct result of the NDP’s continued neglect and mismanagement of our agricultural sector,” Conservative leader John Rustad said in a press release. “This cooperative has been a cornerstone for growers in British Columbia, providing essential support and resources. The NDP and David Eby have allowed this vital institution to collapse, leaving our hardworking farmers without the support they desperately need.”
BC United leader Kevin Falcon has demanded the government step up since the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative played such a major part in selling Okanagan produce.
READ MORE: B.C. tree fruit grower co-operative shuts down after 88 years, citing low volume
“As BC Tree Fruits faces its most challenging period in its almost 90 year history, we are urging the NDP government to step up and provide the necessary resources to support this vital industry,” Falcon said in a press release. “With the industry on the brink, where are Premier Eby and the Agriculture Minister?”
Agriculture minister Pam Alexis sent iNFOnews.ca a statement shortly after BC Tree Fruit Cooperative announced it’s closing up shop.
“Over the past few years, our government has been supporting the tree fruit industry through a tree fruit stabilization plan, which included supporting governance changes at the BC Tree Fruit Cooperative. The plan with the tree fruit industry continues to be comprehensive and reflects our efforts to work directly with them to ensure they succeed and are in the best position to increase their efficiency, production, and profitability. This work is ongoing, and we will continue to work with growers and the BC Fruit Growers Association to understand the impacts of this decision and to assist where possible,” Alexis said in an email.
BC Fruit Growers Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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