Vernon demands program changes

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: April 17, 2010 12:00 PM

The City of Vernon is demanding changes to how the Sterile Insect Release program is funded. Council is asking the North Okanagan Regional District to address the allocation formula based on actual apple acreage in the participating jurisdictions. “I have a problem with our taxpayers being burdened with a disproportionate cost,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. Vernon has 12 per cent of the commercial apple acreage in the North Okanagan but it pays 66 per cent ($193,440) of the cost towards the valley-wide initiative which is trying to control the impact of codling moth on apples. “The costs are outrageous. We are subsidizing our neighbours,” said Spiers. Spiers also questions why businesses are taxed for moth control. “Show me one business with a host tree. Once again that’s a cost to this community because we have the largest business sector,” he said.

Similar concerns also come from Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe. “Who at NORD would vote to change the ratio because it will mean increased taxes for their citizens,” she said. However, Coun. Jack Gilroy, NORD’s representative to SIR, says there are numerous apple trees in residential backyards in Vernon. He also insists the program provides health and environmental benefits. “Look at the tons of chemicals not being sprayed (by orchardists) and that does affect our citizens,” he said. “The program is working. If we let it go, the apple industry will be destroyed. We have to support this industry.” Coun. Shawn Lee points out that Vernon receives federal and provincial dollars that come from much larger centres for programs and infrastructure. “We’re being subsidized by someone else. The money issue is important but it’s a symptom of how things work in Canada,” he said.

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December 2004 Industry Overview:

The Okanagan-Kootenay Sterile Insect Release Program (SIR) is one of the industry/government initiatives to reduce the impact of codling moth on tree fruit production. Codling moth, a species introduced from Europe in the early 1900’s, has the biggest impact of all pest species of tree fruits in the BC interior valleys. Figure 5 shows the damage to fruit in the various areas. The program uses a variety of methods including sterile moth release, sanitation, mating disruption, and minimal pesticide application to keep the impact of codling moth in BC below the economic threshold.28 The SIR program has made it possible for an 83% decrease in the use of organophosphate pesticides in Zone 1 (South Okanagan, Similkameen and Creston Valleys) and a 65% decrease in zones 2 (Central Okanagan Valley) and 3 (North Okanagan and Shuswap Valleys).

The program funding comes from Regional Districts (40%), Fruit Growers (20%), the Federal Government (20%), and the Provincial Government (20%). Codling Moth damage has been drastically reduced since the implementation of this program.

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Don Quixote Note: The Federal Government and Provincial Government are no longer contributors to this program. More downloading to Municipal Taxpayer. (for those municipalities that choose to continue in the program)

The Guide to the SIR Program is an important resource for elected officials, local residents, fruit growers, and fruit industry partners. It covers Program services, governance, results and benefits, and looks to the future of the Program. (costing excerpt below)

In 2008 Property Tax payers paid $1.64 million (56%) while the growers trough parcel taxes of $133 per acre paid $1.29 million. (44%)