| <-back
to Growers Index
Ontario Apple
Growers Newsletter - July 5, 2005
IN THIS
ISSUE
Canadian Apple Industry Investigating Dumping
of Washington Apples | Safety Nets Update
| NISA Fund 1 Account Balances
National Competitiveness Strategy for Tree Fruit
and Grapes | 2005 New Crop Promotion Program
Taking Shape
GPS Orchard Mapping Progress Report | Crop
Estimating - OMAF Needs Your Cooperation
Environmental Farm Planning and Incentive for
Producers | McGuinty Fine Tunes Cabinet -
Leona Dombrowski New Ag Minister
Farm Works Get Health & Safety Protection
| Apple Slice Team Wins Innovation Award
Canadian
Apple Industry Investigating Dumping of Washington Apples
Canadian authorities have been tracking the FOB prices
of apples originating from Washington and have found that
prices have dropped sharply from previous years. For example,
the average price for April 2005 was $.82 per K compared to
$1.34 per K in 2004 and $1.15 per K in 2003. This situation
has resulted in serious losses for Canadian apple producers.
The Canadian industry under the umbrella of the Canadian Horticultural
Council's Apple Working Group are in the process of retaining
the services of a trade lawyer to conduct a preliminary investigation
on varieties including Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Galas
and Fuji's. >>BACK
TO TOP
Safety Nets Update
- SDRM - Agricorp has
confirmed that SDRM will be available to cover the 2005
crop for those growers who have non-calendar year ends which
fall on a date in advance of the 2005 crop.
- CAIS Deposit - It is
anticipated that CAIS participants will be allowed to receive
a 100% rebate of their CAIS deposits. If approved, a letter
would be forwarded directly to each participant stating
that unless Agricorp hears otherwise, they will instruct
banks to rebate the deposits directly to producers.
- Future CAIS Deposit Options -
Governments are still considering deposit options for future
years. These range from a zero deposit requirement to some
sort of premium or deductible requirement. Stay tuned.
- SDRM/Production Insurance -
Although the horticultural sector continues to work with
Agricorp and OMAF to develop suitable production insurance
products, it is unlikely that these products will be available
for 2006. Therefore, we have made a formal request to Minister
Peters, that if suitable production insurance products can
not be developed, SDRM continue. Further, a proposal has
been developed for a new program called "Self-Directed Production
Insurance (SDPI)". SDPI is similar to SDRM except that it
would include more of the principles of production insurance.
- Hurt in Hort - As you
are aware, the horticultural sector did not receive any
additional financial support from OMAF for 2004. A request
has been submitted by OFVGA for similar support as was provided
to the Grains & Oilseeds sector. No response has been
received to date. >>BACK
TO TOP
NISA Fund 1 Account
Balances
The industry continues to promote that all remaining
NISA Fund 1 account balances be released and returned to producers
immediately. As you are aware, the current requirement is
that Fund 1 and Fund 2 must be decreased proportionately over
time. Everyone agrees that this doesn't make sense. Fund 1
is after tax dollars and belongs to growers. Having said this,
here is a way of tapping into Fund 1 sooner:
- Growers are eligible to transfer Fund
1 dollars into their CAIS accounts.
- Growers were able to and still may transfer
up to 52% of their CAIS reference margin from NISA Fund
1 into their CAIS accounts.
- Growers are then eligible to request a
refund of the excess (26%) in the form of a direct payment
to the producer.
- There is no limit on the number of times
a producer can go through this process so if you have sufficient
dollars in Fund 1 to make a difference, I would recommend
you follow this procedure as often as necessary to drain
your Fund 1 account.
- The balance in Fund 2 may still be drawn
down over time.
For more information on this you can visit
www.agr.gc.ca/nisa/faq_trans.html
>>BACK
TO TOP
National Competitiveness
Strategy for Tree Fruit and Grapes
The CHC Apple and Fruit Working Group (includes grapes)
have finalized the proposal and it has been forwarded to the
Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture for their
consideration. The Executive Summary is attached with this
newsletter. Please remember this is a proposal for renewal
within the apple, grape and tender fruit industries. The Canadian
fruit and grape industry has strongly endorsed this program
and will urge the Ontario M.P.'s and M.P.P.'s to lend their
support. If you have the opportunity to talk to your local
representatives, we urge you to lend your support as well.
>>BACK
TO TOP
2005 New Crop Promotion
Program Taking Shape
The OAG in cooperation with the Apple Marketers Association
and Foodland Ontario have developed an aggressive advertising
and market development program for new crop apples. An outline
of the program is attached to this newsletter. The promotional
program for 2005 estimated cost is $1 million. We would like
to thank Foodland Ontario for their continued support of Ontario
apples. As well, we thank the Agricultural Adaptation Council
for their funding assistance.
>>BACK TO TOP
GPS Orchard Mapping
Progress Update
Ontario Apple Growers have contracted Agricorp to
GPS and collect supporting data on over 15,000 acres of apple
orchards across Ontario. A variety of work has been underway
to prepare for the actual farm visits. Meetings have taken
place with Agricorp Board and staff and definition requirements
have been agreed upon with the OAG Technical committee.
Internally at Agricorp they have been:
- developing GPS technical requirements
and protocols
- developing specifications and programs
for information uploading for web access
- securing 25 committed field staff
- preparing project manuals, supplies,
staff grower lists and many other logistics
- securing professional GPS training for
staff to occur over a two week period (July 5 - 15)
- field testing assumptions and techniques
Agricorp expects to be out in the orchards
starting July 18 th and running full force in all areas of
the province at once.
If you haven't already submitted your grower
forms to Agricorp (sent to growers the first week of June),
please complete them and mail them to Agricorp. The more information
they have upfront, the less time they will require of you
upon their arrival at your farm.
>>BACK TO TOP
Ontario Apple Marketing
Survey (2004 Crop)
By now all OAG members have received a copy of the
2004 crop survey. The OAG urges all growers to complete the
survey and return it asap. These numbers will be very important
to the OAG when addressing the income crisis in the Ontario
and Canadian apple industries.
>>BACK TO TOP
Environment Farm
Planning and Incentives
The Honourable Andy Mitchell, AAFC, Minister of Agriculture,
has announced $57 million for Environmental Farm Planning
and related incentives for growers. I enclose a copy of the
program outlining the incentives available to producers.
>>BACK TO TOP
McGuinty Fine Tunes
Cabinet - Leona Dombrowski New Ag Minister
The Honourable Leona Dombrowski, formerly Minister
of Environment now heads the Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs. Note that Rural Affairs is once again under
the Ag Ministry. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs has now been added to the powerful
Priorities and Planning Committee of Cabinet, fulfilling a
campaign commitment to make Agriculture a lead ministry. McGuinty
notes that Ontario's farmers rank amongst the very best in
the world. But international circumstances beyond the control
of our farmers, from BSE to falling commodity prices, present
a significant challenge to our farmers. The Honourable Steve
Peters, formerly Minister of Agriculture now heads the Ministry
of Labour. We congratulate both ministers on their new appointments.
>>BACK
TO TOP
Farm Workers Get
Health & Safety Protection
The Ontario government says agricultural workers
will fall under the provincial Occupational Health and Safety
Act. That's something they were specifically exempted from
in the past. This change will provide better protection for
both domestic and foreign workers, and help reduce workplace
injury and death rates. The regulation implementing the change
takes effect June 30, 2005.
>>BACK TO TOP
Apple Slice Team
Wins Innovation Award
At the inaugural Agri-Food Innovations Forum, held
in Toronto on July 20 and 21, a team of researchers, marketers,
and processors were honoured for their work in bringing fresh
cut apple slices to the marketplace. The Innovation Award
was presented to: Dr. H.P. Vasantha Rupasinghe, Dr. Jennifer
DeEll, Dr. Peter M.A. Toivonen, The Ontario Apple Sales Group
(Norfolk Fruit Growers' Association, Martin's Family Fruit
Farm, Versteegh Brothers Ltd., Bay Growers Cooperative Inc.,
and Binkley Apples Ltd.) and Steve Karr, President of Pride
Pak Inc. Congratulations to all!
>>BACK TO TOP
|
