Why this matters:
· The regulatory change allows Ambrosia growers to continue collecting a levy to fund promotion, research and extension projects to assist orchardists in their efforts to further build this viable new crop, which creates new jobs and revenue for B.C.’s farm families.
· The New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council began in 2002 with a mandate to promote and develop new apple varieties and charge a levy on apple sales. Changes approved by government will extend the mandate to June 30.
· A flagship variety for the industry, Ambrosia growers are now producing over 400,000 cartons from 800 acres in production. Discovered in the Mennell orchard in Cawston, Ambrosia is protected from sales into Canada of the U.S. version and propagation is prohibited without the consent of the Okanagan Plant Improvement Company in Summerland.
Quotes:
“The Ambrosia apple has consistently gained in popularity – proof positive that innovation leads to economic gain. Helping agricultural entrepreneurs doesn’t just result in better fruit, but prosperity.”
- Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater
“I would like to thank the Minister for his support and also the Ambrosia growers who supported the renewed mandate. This is great news because the ambrosia apple is only known by 46 per cent of consumers in western Canada as contrasted to 90 per cent for more traditional varieties such as Red Delicious and MacIntosh. Ambrosia is an excellent variety and has a very enthusiastic consumer following.”
- New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council Chair Bruce Currie
Additional Information:
· Since 2001, the Province has invested over $33 million in replant and grafting programs from which the vast majority of Ambrosia plantings were funded.
· In 2006 the Province gave the B.C. Fruit Growers’ Association $75,000 for a strategic plan resulting in $8 million of federal-provincial funding to adapt to changing markets.
· In August 2010, the federal- provincial governments announced a five million dollar investment in the industry through the Agriflexibility Fund, used to launch the B.C. Tree Fruit Market and Infrastructure Innovation Initiative in January 2011 for market and product development.