Article content
The British Columbia government announces an additional $70 million for farmers to replant and strengthen fruit orchards and vineyards following two years of weather-related disasters.
Premier David Eby reveals that this funding will supplement the province’s existing $15 million Perennial Crop Renewal Program, which was launched last spring to assist over 200 farmers in replacing diseased and unproductive plants.
Article content
Speaking at a wine industry conference in Penticton, Eby mentions that the new funding will support approximately 1,000 more producers in revitalizing their farms.
B.C.’s wine grape growers report that a cold snap in January led to the destruction of up to 99% of the province’s harvest, following previous challenges such as a deep freeze in 2022 and wildfire smoke damage in 2021.
Okanagan fruit growers also suffered significant losses due to the January cold spell, with temperatures in Kelowna dropping to -27°C and causing 90% losses for stone fruits.
Eby also announces the establishment of a B.C. wine grape sector task force to develop strategies to help producers adapt to climate change and maintain profitability.
Recommended from Editorial
‘Clean slate’ to reshape B.C. wine industry, after climate-related catastrophes
B.C. wine crop facing ‘catastrophic losses’ after extreme January cold snap
Bookmark our website and support our journalism: Don’t miss the news you need to know — add VancouverSun.com and TheProvince.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.
You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber: For just $14 a month, you can get unlimited access to The Vancouver Sun, The Province, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Vancouver Sun | The Province.
Share this article in your social network
