Albertans will have a say in a new policy aimed at keeping
fusarium-infected grain out of the province, says the head of Alberta’s
pest management unit.
Shafeek Ali said a series of telephone interviews, round table
discussions and mailed questionnaires will attempt to gather
suggestions on the best way to prevent fusarium from getting a
foothold in Alberta.
Many people have already contacted Ali about the proposal to insist
that seed and feed grain entering the province be certified fusarium
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free.
“We’ve had lots of reaction. The people that feel affected are
obviously negative. People that will benefit will support it. Either
one of those opinions is probably not taking the whole picture into
consideration. It’s a normal reaction to change,” he said.
“Let’s get the feedback of what people think on this, the impact of
trade, the impact on the enforcement, of costs of grain. All of these
questions are coming up.”
By talking to feedlot operators, truck drivers, maltsters and farmers
about the proposal, the government hopes to develop a policy to prevent
fusarium from devastating Alberta feed grain production as it has in
parts of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, but at the same time not dry up
Alberta cattle feeders’ feed supplies.
“We hope some sort of medium ground will come to be here. I’ve already
been accused that this is a done deal. This is not a done deal, this is
a proposal. I’m open to the idea of reasonable suggestions coming out
of this that the (government fusarium) committee will consider it.
“I don’t know what will be the outcome. What is the purpose of a
stakeholder consultation if we have preconceived notions? That is a
farce and this is not a farce. This is proposed policy of zero
tolerance of feed and seed grain coming into the province.”
The proposal has already created concerns in Manitoba and Saskatchewan,
where farmers are worried they will no longer be able to ship feed
grain to Alberta feedlots. There are estimates that fusarium costs
Manitoba producers $300 million a year in lost production.
“I can’t understand how they can say this is the wrong way for Alberta
to go,” Ali said.
“Do they not want us to do anything in Alberta so we too can lose $300
million a year?
“We are raising the bar. If Manitoba wants to continue shipping into
Alberta and if we have this policy, it will make them start cleaning up
their act as well, and they will benefit. But if you have a dumping
ground or have somewhere to send this grain, what is the incentive for
you to clean it up?”
