By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
The Province is committing up to $70 million in support to help climate change affected BC farmers producing grapes, tree fruit and berries, including establishing a wine-grape task force and loosening up restrictions around wine consumption and sales.
The new program, which builds on an earlier $15 million program in 2023, is keenly focused on helping farmers to replant their vineyards, farms and orchards to make them more resilient.
A BC wine-grape sector task force will also be established to develop a research and varietal road map to ensure an “economically viable BC wine-grape industry.”
The task force will run for two years and provide practical recommendations to producers and the industry about how to remain profitable and resilient. It will comprise Canadian and international experts with members anticipated to be identified this year, the province said.
By replacing damaged, diseased and low-producing vines, plants and trees with climate-resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit the province’s economy and food security will also be strengthened, the province said.
“There are few things better than locally grown fruit and locally crafted BC wine,” said Premier David Eby. “We’re taking action to support farmers who have been hit hard by a changing climate with a new task force and replant program, which will help about 1,000 more growers revitalize their farms and protect their businesses.
The new funding is in addition to the $15 million Perennial Crop Renewal Program launched in spring 2023, which the province says helped more than 200 producers remove diseased and unproductive plants and replace them with higher quality crops.
“The security of our food and our economy depends on the strength and resilience of our farmers,” Ebay added.
Wines of BC photo
Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food said staff will work with industry associations to develop planting guidelines to ensure replanted varieties have enhanced adaptability and performance in the face of climate change, pests, disease and market pressures.
This includes a focus on replanting choices based on the “best available agronomic science to ensure they can handle extreme-weather events.”
Application information will be made available as soon as the guidelines are established.
Miles Prodan, president and CEO, Wine Growers BC lauded the government’s commitment to supporting resiliency efforts by the BC wine industry.
“The ongoing climate change effects on BC farmers, highlighted by recent freeze events, are real and directly impact individuals and families that make up our industry,” Prodan said.
“We look forward to working with the ministry to ensure BC vineyards come back better than ever to continue to produce the quality wine consumers have come to expect and that the BC wine industry continues to be a significant driver for the BC economy.”
The Province is also working to implement a suite of policy changes to promote tourism and enhance visitor experiences at wineries and other liquor-manufacturing sites in time for the summer.
This work is being carried out by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General following in-person industry visits and includes:
- supporting better guided-tour experiences that allow people to sit and enjoy a glass of wine while on a tour;
- allowing sales in more places on site, including on tours;
- allowing more flexibility around sampling so manufacturers can customize sampling experiences and;
- allowing manufacturers to sell their products in picnic areas and host people more effectively.
“Our government remains committed to partnering with BC wineries and grape growers to guarantee the long-term sustainability and success of an industry that forms a fundamental part of the province,” said Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development, and MLA for Boundary-Similkameen.
“We know what a difficult time the last few years have been. These improvements for the sector will help give our BC wineries more flexibility to deliver the tailored and world-class visitor experience that they provide.”
The Province, through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is looking to enhance visitor experiences by loosening up regulations around wine tasting and sales.
The new investment in a provincial replant program is in addition to the crop insurance and AgriStability income-protection programs the federal and provincial governments operate to support farmers who experience crop losses and income declines.
It is estimated that BC berry, grape and tree fruit growers received more than $65 million through crop insurance and AgriStability in 2023.
Reacting to the announcement Sue de Charmoy, president and Naramata viticulturist, BC Grape Growers Association said: “This announcement makes grape growers feel that their voices have been heard as they battle on the front lines of climate change.
“Farmers have been struggling with heat events, cold events and fire events over the last few years and face an extremely tough season ahead with the prospect of no income but the responsibility of maintaining or replanting their vineyards.
“We look forward to working together with government to implement strategies that will help us not only produce high-quality grapes for wine, but also maintain the jobs for those who work in and support our industry and the wider economy of the southern Interior.”
Similarly from the tree fruit sector Peter Simonsen, president, BC Fruit Growers’ Association said the investment is an important element that will enable fruit growers to adapt their orchards to be more efficient and productive as well as weather climate change.
“We appreciate minister Alexis’ attention and we are encouraged by her commitment to a strong future for the BC tree fruit sector. We are committed to continuing to work together with our government to get the rest of the puzzle pieces in place so that BC farmers can make a living while feeding our citizens the healthy and sustainable fruit that BC is famous for.”
