2009 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions

 
 
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 2009 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
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Resolution #1Farmers Pesticide Certification Course
Resolution #2"Operation Clean Farm" Obsolete/Unwanted Pesticide Collection
Resolution #3Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development: Agricultural Service Board Funding Program
Resolution #4Clubroot Financial Assistance Program
Resolution #5AESA/ASB Grant Program Integration
Resolution #6Provincial Government - Immediate Assistance for Drought Areas - DEFEATED
Resolution #7Timeliness of Variety Yield Data
Resolution #8West Nile Mosquito Surveillance Program
Resolution #92009 Emergency Registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine - WITHDRAWN
Resolution #10Permanent Registration of Liquid Strychnine
Resolution #11Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy Plan
Resolution #12Bovine Trichomoniasis Regulation
Resolution #13Wild Boar Confinement
Emergent Resolution #1Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Extension Model
Emergent Resolution #2Clubroot Resistant Canola Varieties

Resolution #1
Farmers Pesticide Certification Course

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Environment and Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development staff have the resources in place to facilitate and instruct the Farmer Pesticide Certification program in a timely and efficient manner in rural Municipalities that do not offer this type of training and to supplement the training opportunities in the remaining municipalities if required or requested.

Response:
Alberta Environment
Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency is responsible for determining whether a pesticide product must be applied only by a certified applicator. Certification requirements may also be established by product manufacturers who want to ensure that anyone using their product has demonstrated knowledge regarding safe and effective use.

Only a few pesticide products (currently only grain fumigants) have mandatory certification requirements.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development has recently updated its farmer certification course to meet the national standard. The course is available free of charge on Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s website or by calling the Ag Info Centre to obtain written training materials. This provides ready access to training materials in situations where farmers need certification quickly to purchase and use pesticides that have a certification requirement on the label.

Classroom training is not required for certification. Trainers who hold a Pesticide Applicator Trainer Certificate have been identified to teach the Farmer Pesticide Course to accommodate farmers who may wish to complete course materials in a classroom setting. Grain fumigant manufacturers typically provide training specific to their products at classroom training sessions on request.

Many Agricultural Fieldmen hold valid Trainer Certificates. Training for Agricultural Fieldmen to become trainers and additional training to assist trainers in regards to the Pests of Stored Grain or Exterior Rodent Management have been offered at the Agricultural Fieldman In-Service Training. Ongoing training can be arranged upon demand.

Pesticide applicator certification provides a mechanism for the federal government to register high risk pesticides that may not otherwise be available due to human health or environmental concerns. The Environmental Farm Plan process strongly encourages farmers to obtain pesticide certification as a pesticide risk mitigation activity.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
If used incorrectly, pesticides have the potential to cause serious harm to people and the environment. It is therefore essential that farmers use pesticides in the most professional manner, to insure that unintended adverse effects are kept to a minimum. The Farmer Pesticide Certification Course (FPCC) will assist farmers in achieving this.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) recently completed the technical update to the FPCC. ARD sought the assistance of Alberta Environment (AE) to review course material to ensure it met the National Standard. The course consists of seven core modules and two endorsements. The core modules along with the appropriate endorsement are needed (by AE) for purchasing restricted pesticides (eg: phostoxin).

ARD consulted with a committee of Agricultural Fieldmen, an ASB Provincial Committee representative and AE while revising the content and developing the delivery for this course. The committee will continue to meet regularly to review the course content and delivery and make recommendations for improvements to ARD and AE.

To facilitate the delivery of this course to all farmers in the province, ARD decided to offer the course in two different formats. As an on-line self-study course, farmers can download modules and endorsements from ARD’s “Ropin’ the Web” website and complete the course on their own time. Once they complete the course, they can contact their nearest participating ASB office to write the exam. If a farmer has questions while doing the self-study, they can call (toll-free anywhere in Alberta) or e-mail the AgInfo Centre for assistance.

Where there is enough interest to hold a course and a certified trainer is available to teach the course, the FPCC can be taken in a classroom type setting with the exam administered at the end of the course.

After successful completion of the exam, a certificate is issued that is valid for five years.

With these two training options for the FPCC, all farmers across the province (even in remote areas) now have the opportunity to take this course.

Resolution #2
"Operation Clean Farm" Obsolete/Unwanted Pesticide Collection

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Environment, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provide personnel and funding in cooperation with Crop Life Canada to implement an Operation Clean Farm program by 2011 to collect unwanted, obsolete pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides for the province of Alberta.

Response:
Alberta Environment
The last Operation Clean Farm program (2002-2004) was funded 50% by CropLife Canada and 50% through Agri-Food Canada’s Canadian Adaptation and Rural Development program. The total cost of the three-year program was approximately $700,000.

Approximately $250,000 in government funding has been estimated for a second Operation Clear Farm program ($500,000 total program cost). Government funding would be obtained through existing funding allocated for agri-environmental stewardship programs.

Alberta farmers are under increasing pressure to address a variety of agri-environmental issues (manure management, water conservation, energy conservation, soil conservation, riparian management, wetland protection, etc.) There are no cost-recovery opportunities for most agri-environmental stewardship programs.

CropLife Canada currently funds Alberta’s pesticide container collection program through full cost recovery – there is no government funding provided for container collection, transportation or processing.

The annual cost of pesticide container collection in Alberta ($500,000 - $1,000,000) varies with the number of containers collected, the price of plastic, the price of fuel and other factors. An obsolete pesticide collection program every five years would add only 5 – 10% to CropLife’s current waste management costs for the province.

CropLife Canada is being approached to determine the feasibility of operating an ongoing Operation Clear Farm Program on a cost-recovery basis.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
This resolution targets the orderly collection and disposal of obsolete or unwanted pesticide products and containers, and builds on a similar, successful program delivered in 2002-04.

Continued work in this area would be consistent with our objectives under the Growing Forward Policy Framework agreed to on July 11, 2008, in that this initiative would demonstrate positive action in reducing the impact of agriculture on water quality and in doing so meets society’s expectations of an environmentally responsible agriculture industry.

Under the Growing Forward Policy Framework, provinces are provided with the flexibility to target federal funding to priorities that support the three main Growing Forward policy objectives.

Negotiations are currently underway towards finalizing a Growing Forward bilateral agreement with the Province of Alberta. Once in place, the Province may use federal Growing Forward dollars to support agri-environmental risk management initiatives and on-farm best management practices.

Although the intent of this initiative is consistent with Growing Forward priorities, it should be noted that any program element involving cost-share funding would need to follow the principles outlined in the impending bilateral agreement.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
CropLife Canada runs Obsolete Pesticide Collection Campaigns across Canada in partnership with agri-retailers, farm associations and both federal and provincial governments. The last Operation CleanFarm ran in Alberta between 2002 and 2004 and helped remove 184,000 kgs of pesticides from Alberta farms.

CropLife Canada is currently in the process of surveying Agricultural Service Boards throughout the province to determine the need for an Obsolete Pesticide Collection program for Alberta. A province wide collection program had been tentatively scheduled for Alberta for 2009 but has now been pushed back to 2010. CropLife Canada is waiting for the results from the survey and will need to secure government funding before proceeding with a second Operation ClearFarm for Alberta.

Resolution #3
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development: Agricultural Service Board Funding Program

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development review the current Agricultural Service Board Grant Program, increasing funds available and including an annual Cost of Operations increase to help offset the effect of inflation on the costs of program operations.

Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development greatly values our partnership with municipalities and recognizes the contribution of Agricultural Service Boards in Alberta over the past 64 years.

The most recent review of the Agricultural Service Board Grant Program was undertaken in 2004 with changes implemented in 2005. At that time, some of the key recommendations were
  • To increase funding to $10.5 million each budget year
  • Cost share of 60% government – 40% ASB for core activities
  • Cost share of 40% government – 60% ASB for variable activities
  • Increase the base grant to $60,000
  • Review the ASB Grant Program in 5 years
  • Level of funding to be reviewed along with the ASB Grant Program
These recommendations have been implemented and a review of the ASB Grant Program and level of funding is scheduled to start in 2009-2010. The program review will revisit eligible program expenses and level of funding. Data has been collected since the previous program review to provide information to determine if funding levels should be increased and if additional programs should be eligible under the ASB Grant Program.

Resolution #4
Clubroot Financial Assistance Program

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development allocate additional funding separate from the current A.S.B. Grant to cover 100% of the costs incurred due to sampling and extra staffing as required to carry out surveys to locate Clubroot infestations.

Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) recognizes the threat that this disease represents to the canola industry in Alberta. At the present time, costs for surveying of clubroot by municipalities can be partially recovered through the Agricultural Service Board Grant Program. This program is scheduled to be reviewed in 2010 and if available, additional resources could be allocated to assist with surveying and the cost of testing at that time.

Resolution #5
AESA/ASB Grant Program Integration

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development to integrate the AESA program and funding into the Agricultural Service Board Grant Program.

Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
The Provincial AESA Council and Regional AESA Committees were not reappointed to guide the AESA program after August 2007. The AESA program has been in transition for the last two calendar years (2008 and 2009).

The AESA program provides $2.3 M, 75% to Agricultural Service Boards (ASBs) and 25% to agricultural organizations (AOs), including Cows and Fish. The AESA funding has been allocated for 2009 and the grant recipient programs are working towards environmental extension activities around Government of Alberta (GOA) priorities within the Alberta Water for Life and Climate Change Strategies, and Growing Forward. The AESA funding is not expected to increase into the future.

The majority of funding supports local manpower through community-based Rural Extension Staff (RES) who work directly with farmers and ranchers to support environmentally-responsible production systems.
There are issues with the current AESA delivery, including high extension staff turnover (wage issues, program uncertainty, etc.), other ASB priorities (outside of AESA or other Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD) priorities), and not enough funding to go around to current groups.

The desired outcome for the AESA program is to provide local technical support to facilitate the agricultural industry into actions that enhances environmental stewardship and enable the industry to build competitive capacity.

Environmental Stewardship Division (ESD) is developing a framework for environmental programming that recognizes the complexities of the various players and addresses future extension needs through making available technical expertise to achieve the outcomes of Growing Forward and other GOA initiatives (Landuse Framework, Water for Life, Climate Change Strategy). This framework includes options for delivering and administering an effective long-term AESA program.

Resolution #6
Provincial Government - Immediate Assistance for Drought Areas

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the Provincial Government provide immediate assistance in the form of per acre payments to all active producers in all affected areas of the Province who suffered financial losses due to the 2008 Drought conditions.

DEFEATED AT THE AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE - JANUARY 2009

Resolution #7
Timeliness of Variety Yield Data

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Agriculture Financial Services Corporation and Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development be encouraged to speed up the processing of yield data and make it available to farmers in a more timely manner.

Response:
Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
The Agricultural Service Board (ASB) is referring to data published in the Alberta Management Insights (AMI) report, available online at ARD’s Ropin’ the Web website, consisting of gross reported yields by insured producers. Producers are able to access seeding summaries, top yielding crop varieties, and variety comparisons for their various risk areas in Alberta.

Yields are based on Harvested Production Reports (HPR) and claim data. The HPR submission deadline is 15 days after harvest, but not later than November 15th each year. Collected information from approximately 12,000 producers requires time for verification and processing, and to ensure the majority of data is received and included. It is important to note that most producers do not submit their HPRs until the November 15 deadline. This makes it difficult to make AMI available at an earlier date. After the data is summarized and input, it is sent to the Information Management division of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development for uploading. Production reported or measured is used to establish area normal yields and individual coverage.

For the 2007 production year, data was forwarded to ARD on January 25, 2008. For the 2008 production year, data was forwarded to ARD on February 11, 2009.
While there may be some producer benefit in having this information earlier, any changes to data availability would require an earlier HPR submission deadline. Presently, AFSC requires most of January to make the data available.

Resolution #8
West Nile Mosquito Surveillance Program

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Health and Wellness continue to operate the West Nile Virus Mosquito Surveillance Program for as long as West Nile Virus is active in North America.

Response:
Alberta Health and Wellness
The representatives from the Interdepartmental Working Committee on West Nile virus (Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Environment, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development) have met to discuss the program components for the 2009 West Nile virus season. Currently the response plan, including mosquito surveillance, is under review; therefore, we are not able to respond to the resolution at this time. We will be pleased to provide a response later this spring. I appreciate the suggestions that have been made and will provide this resolution to the Interdepartmental Working Committee for their information.

Resolution #9
2009 Emergency Registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) make 2% Liquid Strychnine available through the Agricultural Service Boards to agriculture producers for the 2009 season in concentrate form.

WITHDRAWN AT THE 2009 AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE - JANUARY 2009

Resolution #10
Permanent Registration for Liquid Strychnine

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that 2% liquid strychnine be made available to bonafide farmers and ranchers, only through Agricultural Service Boards, on a permanent basis for the control of Richardson Ground Squirrels.

Response:
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
PMRA published a Re-evaluation Note in 2007 (REV 2007-03) stating that the use of strychnine to control ground squirrels (ie Richardson’s, Columbia, Franklin, and thirteen-lined) is a concern from an environmental perspective. Other uses were maintained.

As you know, Health Canada, Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) funded a research program in 2007 to compare the efficacy of strychnine products with other registered alternatives. The results of this research showed that strychnine is less effective than other alternatives. A copy of this research is attached for your consideration (call ASB program office at 427-4213 for a copy).

The PMRA considers the emergency registration of 2% liquid strychnine concentrate (2% LSC) for the control of severe infestations of Richardson’s ground squirrels to be a viable option in the interim since it provides more flexibility to growers in terms of cost effectiveness and timely availability of bait while research is being conducted into alternatives to strychnine. Consequently, the emergency registration of 2% LSC was granted for the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta as an additional tool for farmers dealing with Richardson’s ground squirrel infestations.

However, the environmental concerns remain. The 2007 research report as well as the preliminary analysis of the 2008 research report indicate that the sustainability of ground squirrel control does not lay in a full registration of 2% liquid strychnine products and show promising results toward sustainable pest management of ground squirrels in the Canadian prairies.

In this context please be assured that every effort will be made to ensure that new alternative technologies requiring registration developed through this research program will be made available to growers in the shortest time possible.

Resolution #11
Alberta Livestock and Meat Strategy Plan

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the Minister of Agriculture review the Alberta Livestock & Meat Agency responsibilities and ensure that the Board members are a democratic representation of the Livestock Industry and all Board members are accountable to the Minister and the Industries they represent.

And further be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture & Rural Development complete all components of the Alberta Livestock & Meat Strategy so that producers are clear about the benefits, costs, penalties, procedures and consequences of the protocols that are required under this strategy.

And further be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the Minister of Agriculture ensures that the Alberta Livestock & Meat Agency decisions are open to public scrutiny and the Agency be transparent and accountable to Alberta Producers.

And further be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the Minister of Agriculture ensures that market driven programs for livestock information remain an option to the Alberta Livestock Producer.

And further be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the Minister of Agriculture remove all mandatory requirements from this strategy which are not essential components of a Nation Wide disease control program and work with the Federal and Provincial Ministers of Agriculture to develop a national traceability strategy to be used in livestock tracking for disease control.

Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
The ALMS has been ratified by Honourable Ed Stelmach, Premier, and all of Government Caucus. It is comprised of many initiatives to help Alberta’s livestock industry achieve fundamental change and become more profitable by enhancing industry’s ability to manage risk and take advantage of new opportunities. Agriculture and Rural Development has been and will continue to engage industry stakeholders, as we determine how best to implement the elements of the ALMS and the Animal Health Act.

The Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency (ALMA) was created as part of the ALMS. ALMA’s role is to align and redirect government funds, resources and programs to revitalize the livestock sector and to act as a catalyst to help enhance industry competitiveness and profitability.

On February 9, 2009, it was announced that ALMA had formed five advisory committees to provide input on issues facing industry, support the implementation of the ALMS, and provide a forum for industry representatives to share information, while working within a positive and cooperative atmosphere. The five committees include: Cattle Producer Advisory Committee, Beef Processor Advisory Committee, Pork Value Chain Advisory Committee, Diversified Livestock Advisory Committee and Innovation and Further Value-Added Advisory Committee. It is critical that industry remain the driver of the strategic advancement of the ALMS.

ASBs act in an advisory capacity to municipal councils and provide input on policy development affecting their local municipalities. ARD values the input of all ASBs while policy is being developed by government in close consultation with industry. However, the ALMS is beyond the policy development phase. This strategy was endorsed by the GOA as a necessary component of Alberta Farm Recovery Program II.

I appreciate the support of ASBs as we re-establish our extension relationship.

Resolution #12
Bovine Trichomoniasis Regulation

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development and/or Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada investigate a Bovine Trichomoniasis regulation.

Response:
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Trichomoniasis, an annually reportable disease in Canada, is considered a production-limiting disease. The prevalence of the Trichomoniasis fetus protozoa, which infects the reproductive tract of cattle, is unknown in Canada’s cattle population. Unless the Canadian cattle population is extensively tested, it is not possible to determine both the number of infected animals that may be present and the cost of entering into a control or eradication program.

The presence of this disease does not impede trade access. Even for those U.S. states that enforce regulations against Trichomoniasis, cattle producers can still export by testing their animals or selling young virgin bulls. Since these regulations are at the state level, the CFIA, as a federal agency, is not involved in the certification process for this disease.

No vaccines are available for prevention, but owners who wish to minimize the impact of this disease on their breeding herds should use artificial insemination and virgin bulls to aid in control. Non-virgin bulls should be tested before being introduced to the breeding herd and positive animals rejected for breeding purposes. All bulls entering Canadian artificial insemination units are tested and any positive animals are excluded from donating semen. This practice has virtually eliminated the disease from Canada’s dairy cattle population.

As noted above, the absence of information on prevalence of the disease prevents the CFIA from considering a control program for Trichomoniasis, and because it is a production-limiting disease, the CFIA is not considering implementation of a surveillance program at this time. Provincial government agencies, with the necessary legislative authority, could implement regulatory programs for this disease. I note that this resolution has also been shared with officials of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development for their consideration.

Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Bovine Trichomoniasis is a venereal disease transmitted at breeding by an infected bull. There is no treatment that cures a carrier bull. Some two or three year old bulls may eliminate the infection spontaneously, but most mature bulls are infected for life and are a source of infection. Affected cows suffer from poor conception or abortion in later gestation. Given sexual rest, infected femails will clear the infection spontaneously, but often lose a breeding season.

During development of the new Animal Health Act (AHA) and the new Reportable and Notifiable Diseases regulation (RAND) that came into force on January 1, 2009, the Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV) consulted with a number of stakeholders. Bovine Trichomoniasis was seriously considered as a disease to include on the list of reportable diseases because of the serious economic implications for affected cattle herds. As well, the new AHA has a provision that allows the Minister to establish a disease control program specifically targeting community pastures and stakeholders were consulted regarding establishing a mandatory Bovine Trichomoniasis control program for communal grazing situations. Representatives of Alberta Beef Producers strenuously argued against such a mandatory control program.

Bovine Trichomoniasis is listed as a notifiable disease in RAND, which means its detection, or the suspicion of its existence, in cattle must be immediately reported to the OCPV. Because it is only notifiable, the OCPV cannot initiate a control response in the event of its detection. Had it been put on the list of reportable diseases in RAND, the occurrence of Bovine Trichomoniasis would have demanded a control response. If there is sufficient support within the Alberta beef industry to move Bovine Trichomoniasis from the notifiable disease list to the reportable disease list, Agriculture and Rural Development would consider amending RAND to reflect this desire.

Alberta's Chief Provincial Veterinarian, Dr. Gerald Hauer, would consider developing and implementing a Bovine Trichomoniasis control program for all community pastures, if not all communcal grazing situations in Alberta, if there is sufficient interest within the Alberta cattle industry to support such a program. The Food Safety Division has the diagnostic capability and expertise to detect Tritrichomonas foetus, the causative agent of Bovine Trichomoniasis, but would have to obtain the resources to support such a control program.

Resolution #13
Wild Boar Confinement

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development implement a permit system for the raising of wild boars similar to that of raising elk and deer that stipulates fencing requirements to prevent escapes and allow for a more proactive approach to the control of wild boars at large.

Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Wild Boar at large were declared a pest pursuant to the Agricultural Pests Act on May 31, 2008. When this occurred, Agriculture and Rural Development (ARD), in a joint effort between ARD and Agricultural Service Boards, implemented an initiative to encourage land owners experiencing Wild Boar infestations to eradicate them and receive a $50 per head bounty for their efforts. This pilot initiative will expire on December 31, 2009.

Once this initiative expires, we will thoroughly review the successes and failures of the pilot and prepare a briefing to the Minister. The briefing will include recommendations of possible solutions to deal with this problem in the future.

The Agricultural Service Boards resolution of implementing a permit system and fencing requirements on wild boar producers will be considered during the review.

Emergent Resolution #1
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development Extension Model

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that the department of Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development proceed with the implementation of the proposed Extension Model as presented with the following guiding principles:
  • The model allow for flexibility for ASBs to utilize the key contacts in a manner that best aligns ASBs with their producers needs, by allowing relationships to develop individually to suit the needs of each Municipality.
  • That the current structure utilizing the ASB Supervisor and staff remains equal or is enhanced by the extension model.
  • ARD hold quarterly meetings with the Provincial ASB Committee to monitor the progress of the extension model.
  • The locations of the ARD offices be reviewed to ensure ASBs have the best possible access to key contacts.
Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development recognizes our partnership with Agricultural Service Boards and the great synergy that can be created by working together. ARD greatly appreciates the support that ASBs have expressed for the Extension Model that has been presented.

ARD is looking forward to working more closely with the ASBs to develop this model so that it suits the needs of the ASBs. There will be quarterly meetings with the Provincial ASB Committee to monitor the implementation of this model and ensure that it remains flexible.

Emergent Resolution #2
Clubroot Resistant Canola Varieties

Therefore be it resolved that Alberta's Agricultural Service Boards request
that Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development undertake a provincial awareness campaign that provides accurate information to Alberta canola growers regarding the facts and concerns with the clubroot resistant varieties.

Response:
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Since the detection of clubroot in canola in 2003, ARD staff have made considerable effort to increase awareness of this disease in the agriculture and oil/gas sectors. Thanks to numerous presentations at producer and industry meetings, articles in local newspapers, in agriculture publications, media interviews, and on ARD’s Call of the Land, the level of awareness of the dangers of clubroot in canola is high amongst producers.

The Alberta Clubroot Management Committee (CMC) is meeting on April 6, 2009 and “the introduction of clubroot resistant varieties” is at the top of their agenda. The CMC recognizes the potential danger in producers relying too much on the new resistant varieties and quickly forgetting about the importance and numerous benefits of a good rotation. They also realize that growing a resistant variety will not prevent the spread of clubroot spores in soil on equipment. The CMC will discuss this issue and make recommendations to ARD on the best ways to handle this issue. ARD is committed to keeping the level of awareness high on this issue so canola growers have the information they need to make informed risk management decisions.
 
 
 
 

Other Documents in the Series

 
  2010 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2009 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions - Current Document
2008 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2007 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2006 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2005 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2004 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2003 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2002 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2001 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
2000 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
1999 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
1998 Agricultural Service Board Resolutions
 
 
 
 
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For more information about the content of this document, contact Pam Retzloff.
This information published to the web on February 17, 2009.
Last Reviewed/Revised on December 17, 2009.