1. Working with Grower Associations Canola Growers Potato
Growers Working to build partnerships and seek to collaboratively
solve problems.
2. Working with Grower Associations Grower associations give
voice to the farmer. That voice helps shape policy at all levels of
government. Industry working with grower associations has also led
to the innovations that have facilitated the productivity and
efficiency of modern agriculture. Partnerships between grower
associations and industry often leads to win-win agreements that
benefit the entire agriculture value chain.
3. Working with Grower Associations Three examples of my
involvement with grower associations: Unconfined release of
genetically modified canola Pesticide harmonization in the NAFTA
region Partnership with the United Potato Growers of America (UPGA)
and the Potato Marketing Association of North America (PMANA)
4. Canadian Canola Growers Association Round-up Ready canola
was introduced in Canada in 1995 with an segregated identity
preservation system in place. In 1996 the identity preservation
system requirement was discontinued based on grower support. Grower
support was contingent on: Proven agronomic benefits of herbicide
tolerant canola, Improved economics of herbicide tolerant canola,
and; Acceptance by Canada's trading partners In my role as Vice
President of Crop Production at the Canola Council of Canada, I was
able to provide impartial third party data to support the agronomic
benefits and work with canola export customers to ensure approvals
were in place. In 1997, I made my first presentation to the
Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food in support of
bio-technology By 2009, 90% of the canola grown in North America
was herbicide tolerant developed through genetic modification
5. NAFTA Pesticide Haromonization In 1996, pesticide residues
were found in Canadian milling oats destined for the US. The Board
of Directors of the Canola Council of Canada asked me to consider
if the recently passed Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA)
posed a threat to the export of canola to the US. The major threat
identified in FQPA was that the pesticides used in canola
production require an established tolerance or exemption of
tolerance. In 1996 more than 20 pesticides were registered for
canola production in Canada and only a handful had establised
tolerances.
6. NAFTA Pesticide Haromonization In response to the potential
crisis I was able to organize stakeholders from both Canada and the
USA to develop the framework for an industry action plan: The
action plan included: Encouragement for all pesticide companies to
either obtain US tolerance for all canola pesticides or discontinue
use, Support harmonization efforts of pesticide regulation, and;
Developing an integrated pest management strategy for canola. By
the end of 1998 a record of understanding between Canada and the
USA regarding areas of agricultural trade was undertaken to discuss
and resolve outstanding key issues.
7. United Potato Growers of America United Potato Growers of
America (UPGA) is a farmer cooperative focused on managing member's
potato supply in order to positively affect grower profitability.
UPGA is also aligned with the Potato Marketing Association of North
America (PMANA) Together the UPGA and PMANA represent a large
majority of the potato growing community.
8. UPGA & PMANA The United Potato Growers of America
approached AMVAC with a sponsorship opportunity. The basic
Sponsorship plan includes participation in various meetings and
recognition on the UPGA Website
9. Final Win-Win Agreement In addition to the basic sponsorship
package AMVAC and UPGA agreed to an enhanced program that included:
Potato growers advisory board that meets with AMVAC executive to
review issues related to the production of potatoes On-farm
demonstration program of commercially available AMVAC products
Standard protocol and reporting system Sharing best management
practices Access growers to conduct market research Communication
to UPGA members
10. Final Win-Win Agreement In addition to the basic
sponsorship package AMVAC and UPGA agreed to an enhanced program
that included: Potato growers advisory board that meets with AMVAC
executive to review issues related to the production of potatoes
On-farm demonstration program of commercially available AMVAC
products Standard protocol and reporting system Sharing best
management practices Access growers to conduct market research
Communication to UPGA members
