Download Mission - BC Fruit Growers` Association

BC Fruit Growers’ Association
Business Plan 2014
Draft 2, January 18, 2014
Vision
Primary
Focus
The tree fruit industry in BC is widely recognized as a vibrant,
economically healthy and sustainable industry that enjoys
a strong market position based on products that are clearly
differentiated and of consistently high quality
PROFITABILITY
INDUSTRY GROWTH
To ensure that the industry
strengthens its critical mass by
achieving sales increases in
domestic
and export markets
To ensure that grower
profitability is sufficient to
maintain
operations and attract new
entrants into the industry
on an on-going basis
Nature of Organization
Roles
The BCFGA main role is government relations, with a supporting public relations role.
The BCFGA also delivers programs that provide a benefit to the growers’ orchard
operations.
The BCFGA influences consumer demand by promoting the consumption of BC tree
fruit, but does not engage in retail sales of fruit.
The BCFGA is the lead facilitator in creation of an industry-wide Strategy.
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Priorities for 2014
Based on current priorities established by the Executive, resolutions proposed for the
Annual Convention, and financial and staff resources, the following priorities are
established.
Mission-related Priorities
Priority Goal
Replant Program
Apple Research and Promotion
Agency
Columbia River Treaty
Government Relations
Water Act
Provincial Budget
Municipal Presentations
Area-wide Pest Management
Labour
Public Relations
125th Anniversary events
Public events/promotion
GMO
Deer cull
Production Insurance Review
Administration- and Governance-related Activities
Activities
Industry strategy – renewal
Accord – reinvigorate
Grower communications
Program operation
Delivery of services to growers
BCFGA governance – focus on wholly-owned
subsidiary governance process
Workplan for 2014
The Executive will have a primary focus of lobbying for funds for growers through the
introduction of programs, including Replant as a priority, but including the longer-term
possibility of obtaining Columbia River Treaty funds. The Executive will seek a more
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balanced approach to government, seeking to build relationships with local MLAs and
MPs, and municipal politicians.
The BCFGA will continue to take every reasonable and affordable opportunity to be a
relevant player by
 participating in the provincial budget review,
 attending budget day,
 meeting with regional MP and MLA caucuses.
 leveraging national meetings to meet MPs and MLAs
 making annual presentations to municipalities
The BCFGA will lead the following area-wide activities:
- ACM presence and prevalence survey
- ACM area-wide pheromone – pilot program and funding
- Re-engage with CFIA on an Area of Low Pest Prevalence
- Promoting changes to regulations that permit SIR to take on new pests.
The Member Services will provide input on the following plans:
- Ongoing operation of website with focus on news and calendar.
- Ongoing operation of Facebook page.
- Web-based grower surveys.
- Assess whether it is possible and how best to increase independent grower
membership in the BCFGA.
- Assess the advisability of providing business disruption insurance to members
under a group policy.
- Trial web-based production guide.
Industry relations
The BCFGA will seek to improve relations with industry organizations:
- BC Tree Fruit Cooperative
- Independent packers
- Organic Packer
- Ambrosia Council
- Cherry Association
- Cider sector
Operations and Program Administration
AgriFlex and Tree Fruit Industry Development Funds are expected to exhausted their
funding in 2014.
Staffing will be unchanged, following re-structuring of 2013.
Meetings with the Apple Working Group of the Canadian Horticultural Council directors
BC is hosting both the CHC Annual Meeting and the mid-summer CHC Apple Working
Group meeting late July.
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Participation in provincial and national SAWP negotiations will increase.
The BCFGA will continue to carry out the following activities in 2014:
- Pesticide Applicators Points
- Tree Fruit Production Guide (spray guide update and web-based pilot project)
- Newsletter (email. 4 issues, 8 quick messages)
- Annual Convention
The BCFGA will assist other organizations in delivering their programs, such as the
BCAC Labour Committee and Starling Control. The BCFGA will coordinate Interior
Hort Sector meetings.
The BCFGA will continue to be the sole shareholder of PICO and the BCFGA Research
and Development Orchard Inc.
The main BCFGA role in PICO is monitoring and the appointment of directors who will
be independent and responsible for the performance of the company.
The BCFGA Research and Development Orchard Inc. will continue to take on some
projects previously conducted by the BCFGA. The BCFGA has directed the companies
to maximize the benefit to growers, rather than to maximize shareholder wealth.
However, the BCFGA and PICO representatives will meet to discuss the financial
assistance which PICO can provide to the BCFGA, while avoiding adverse tax
consequences.
The BCFGA provides administration and management services to the BCFGA Research
and Development Orchard Inc.
The BCFGA will administer the Apple Research and Promotion Agency, if approved by
growers and the government. Set-up of the new administration will require substantial
effort, if approved.
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Operating Budget
The BCFGA operating budget will continue to be under pressure due to:
- Reduced income from last year of administered projects (TF Industry
Development Fund and AgriFlex).
- Reduction in the number of OTFC grower members.
- Increased activities.
The BCFGA operating budget may improve due to:
- Renewal of Replant Program (2013 catch-up and full 2014 funding)
- Future ARPA administration income: 2015?
- Future of the CRT: 2024.
- Project funding.
- PICO support for activities and dividends/shareholder loan.
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Appendix: BCFGA Constitution 2013
The BC Fruit Growers’ Association shall uphold the following Constitutional Principles:
a) To represent the tree fruit industry in matters of government laws,
regulations, programs and taxes, such that the decisions of
government on these matters are beneficial for tree fruit production in
British Columbia;
b) To advance horticultural knowledge and practices for tree fruits in all
its branches;
c) To advance the business of tree fruits growers by developing and
promoting industry strategies that improve the growing practices,
packing, marketing and reputation of tree fruits grown in British
Columbia;
d) To promote the consumption of fresh and processed tree fruits; and
e) To collect, arrange and disseminate information on all matters
pertaining to the tree fruit industry.
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