‘B.C. Tree Fruits has to be restructured. It’s what keeps the industry going.’ — Amarit Lalli, Okanagan fruit farmer
The B.C. NDP government have announced limited initial steps to support fruit growers hurt by the sudden closure of a B.C. co-operative that has helped Okanagan farmers get their products to market for nearly 90 years.
“My first priority is listening to the growers and other workers who know the industry best and taking action to support them,” Alexis said. Academics and members of the B.C. Fruit Growers Association, an industry group, called the announcement a positive step but wanted the co-op’s liquidation efforts halted and a guarantee that farmers would be paid for fruit that they shipped out for packaging this year and last.
“B.C. Tree Fruits has to be restructured,” Lalli said. “It’s what keeps the industry going. If we’re not able to get the packing house up and running again, it’s going to be a bloodbath.” “The thing I don’t get is how the B.C. fruit co-operative could not be more responsive to the growers. It’s antithetical to the concept of a co-operative,” he said.
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