BC CHERRIES FUNDED FOR NEW EXPORT MARKETS

Despite a lacklustre 2019 growing season, BC growers are looking forward to next season with funding for new export markets. The federal government, represented by Justice Minister David Lametti, announced $241,000 in funding on August 13 to market B.C. cherries to new countries. Those monies will be matched by industry for a total of $480,000.

 

 

 

"A significant portion of the Canadian cherry business involves export,” says Sukhpaul Bal, president, BC Cherry Association. “The BC Cherry Association has benefited from federal AgriMarketing funding for our activities for the past seven years. This partnership with the federal government has been critical in paving the way for the BC Cherry Association to help expand world markets for cherries by promoting our industry abroad, and to coordinate export programs for existing world markets."

 

 

 

In 2014, the local cherry market was opened to China, and just recently, local farms began exporting to Japan. The next target is South Korea.

 

 

 

“The agri-marketing funding really allows us to explore the new markets and get to the new markets to promote the B.C. cherry industry,” Bal said, adding representatives have been attending trade shows in Berlin and Hong Kong for the past several years, thanks in part to the program.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.