Government commits $70M to help orchardists keep up with climate change

More B.C. farmers producing grapes, cherries, tree fruit and berries will receive provincial support to replant their vineyards, farms and orchards to make them more resilient to climate change. “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,” said Premier David Eby in a news release last week. “The security of our food and our economy depend on the strength and resilience of our farmers.” A new enhanced replant program will provide as much as $70 million in support to help producers replace damaged, diseased and low-producing vines, plants and trees with climate-resilient varieties that produce in-demand, premium fruit. Widespread was reported to Interior vineyards after a sudden deep freeze in the winter. The new funding builds on the $15-million Perennial Crop Renewal Program launched in spring 2023, which has helped more than 200 producers remove diseased and unproductive plants and replace them with higher quality crops. JMC Farms in Chilliwack received $70,000 to remove 14 acres of blueberry plants infected by scorch virus and revitalize the soil. “The crop-renewal program was easy to apply for and allowed our farm to avoid a serious financial burden from the removal of our blueberry plants,” said Marc Dalton, owner and blueberry farmer. “The program helped our farm to be set up so we could adjust to changing market and climate conditions and allow us to be successful in the future. I am pleased to see the program will be expanded to include more replant costs since it provides good value to support farmers.” Government 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. Producers will make replant 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. The government is also establishing a B.C. winegrape sector task force to develop a research and varietal road map for an economically viable B.C. 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 be comprised of Canadian and international experts with members anticipated to be identified this year. “Minister Alexis’s (Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food) announcement today is confirmation of this government’s commitment to resiliency support for B.C. wine growers,” said Miles Prodan, president and CEO, Wine Growers BC. “The ongoing climate change effects on B.C. farmers, highlighted by recent freeze events, is real and directly impacts individuals and families that make up our industry. We look forward to working with the ministry to ensure B.C. vineyards come back better than ever … and that the B.C. wine industry continues to be a significant driver for the B.C. economy.” Additionally, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is working with manufacturers, with a specific focus on wineries, to support better experiences for visitors and promote tourism. In response to industry feedback, the province is working to implement policy changes to enhance visitor experiences at wineries and other liquor-manufacturing sites in time for summer. “We know what a difficult time the last few years have been,” said Roly Russell, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development. “These improvements for the sector will help give our B.C. wineries more flexibility to deliver the tailored and worldclass visitor experience that they provide.” The new changes in development include: — 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 product in picnic areas and host people more effectively. “This announcement makes grape growers feel that their voices have been heard,” said Sue de Charmoy, president and Naramata viticulturist, BC Grape Growers Association. “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.” “This investment is an essential piece of the puzzle that will help our growers adapt their orchards to plant more efficient and productive orchards that can weather the storms of climate change,” said Peter Simonsen, president of the BC Fruit Growers’ Association. “We appreciate minister Alexis’s attention and we are encouraged by her commitment to a strong future for the B.C. tree fruit sector.” “Replant funds are an excellent long-term strategy to support a strong fruit sector. Extreme weather has made fruit farming very difficult and we look forward to continuing to engage with our government on the short-term support required,” said Sukhpaul Bal, president of the BC Cherry Association.