Local apple growers, concerned about the future of their industry, met with Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MP Larry Miller Wednesday to present a four-point plan to sustain orchards in the southern Georgian Bay region.

The initiative is more about making sure there is a future for the industry than providing immediate help to growers, explained John Finch, a spokesman for the Georgian Bay Fruit Growers.

Without some form of succession plan, family operated orchards in the southern Georgian Bay region will disappear in the next 10-15 years, he said.

“Seventy-eight per cent of our members are over 50 years old,” he said, adding that in the face of increasing global competition, escalating input costs – especially labour and petroleum, and a highly concentrated retail sector that has forced low crop prices, young people are not taking over family orchards.

“High input prices and the inability of the market to return the cost of production means local apple growers are mining their equity just to stay in business,” said Finch. “It’s a vicious circle.”

The plan calls for an Economic Viability Study of the tree fruit industry in the southern Georgian Bay region, which Clarksburg apple grower John Finch says pumps over $100 million annually into the local economy.

Finch told Miller the study would develop a strategic plan to help local growers be competitive in Ontario, Canada and the global marketplace.

He also stressed how important the industry was to the local economy. The Georgian Bay Fruit Growers represent 69 full-time orchard owners and another 61 associate members including, the Bay Growers’ Co-operative, Binkley Apples, Glen Huron Apples and Cold Storage, Golden Town Apple Products and the Apple Valley Cider Co. More than 700 workers are employed in the growing, packing, processing, selling and transportation of local fruit.

“We think this region’s orchards are unique and worth saving,” said Finch. “We have the highest concentration of orchards per acre of any area in Ontario which provides a significant economic benefit to our region.”

Finch presented Miller with a proposal that would see the EVS funded 80 per cent ($40,000) by the federal government and 20 per cent ($20,000) by the fruit growers themselves. 

The study would confirm key issues facing growers, define strategies to address these issues and then implement specific initiatives to improve grower returns by reducing costs.

Specific recommendations from the Fruit Growers included:
• A temporary special dispensation to the agriculture industry to alleviate the high cost of petroleum;
• Pressure Human Resources and Social Development Canada to reduce the cost of labour by taking into account the high cost of free housing and subsidized transportation under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program;
• Require federally funded organizations like the military and federal prisons and Crown Corporations to engage a “Buy Canada First” policy;
• Ensure realistic and tough Product of Canada labelling.

After a formal presentation by the GBFG executive, Miller joined about 24 apple growers for an informal lunch and discussion.

Miller, who is a member of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food and chair of the National Rural Agriculture Caucus, praised the fruit growers’ association for taking a proactive approach to preserving and strengthening their rural community and economy.

“It’s one thing to have a viable industry today but this is more about preserving orchards and rural life for the future,” he said. “I really give credit to your group for thinking about the future.”

Miller said he was a big promoter of buying local and closing loopholes in food labeling regulations.

He cited the example of opening a can of grapefruit juice with Product of Canada on the label. “I don’t know anywhere they grow grapefruits in Canada,” he said, adding the beef industry had to deal with the same issues. If beef imported from Argentina, Australia and the United States is cut and packaged in Canada, it can be labelled as Product of Canada, he said.

Miller said the country of origin for all food products should be clearly marked.

“I believe if consumers have a choice they will support our own farmers,” he said. “Support for agriculture can’t just come from government, it has to come from society.”

Miller also said growers have to realize the reality of the global marketplace. “We export a lot more than we use. We can’t expect to ship our product out and not have our borders open – that’s why we have to be competitive,” he said.

 Miller also said the federal government had come through for fruit growers with a transition program that pays $1,600 for growers who want to take some orchard land out of production. It was supposed to have been a joint federal and provincial program, with the province helping with the cost of replanting new trees, but according to Miller, Ontario is resisting funding their share.

Meaford orchard owner Dave Lambe said it’s important for both growers and the government to think about the future.

“Look around this room – not too many people here are under 50 years old,” he said. “Agriculture in Canada is in rough shape. There is some urgency out there.”

Georgian Bay Fruit Growers President Brian Gilroy said the meeting with Miller was arranged two weeks ago in Ottawa when he attended the Canadian Horticulture Conference. Miller toured the region with Gilroy, who showed him the extent of orchards in the area (over 5,000 acres) and the numerous processing and packing plants that would close if the orchards disappear.

“Larry is a great listener and understands the situation in agriculture,” said Gilroy. “He speaks our language and works hard on our behalf.”