Honourable Oneil Carlier, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry 229 Legislature Building 10800 - 97 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta Canada T5K 2B6

July 5, 2018

Re: Advancing Alberta’s Agriculture Sector through De-Regulation of Fusarium Graminearum

Dear Minister,

We are writing on behalf of Alberta’s Industry-Led Fusarium Working Group (the “Working Group”) to express our collective disappointment regarding the lack of progress on fusarium policy in the province of Alberta. While members of the Working Group have been active on this issue for many years, the Working Group formally established contact with the government in April, 2017. Our purpose was to express our concern over the province’s zero tolerance policy for Fusarium graminearum (Fg) and to establish our clear position: to effectively manage the disease in our province, Fg must be removed from Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act. Our stakeholders were optimistic after early interactions with your government indicated that there was a commitment for policy change. This change was viewed favourably by the Working Group and we supported making modifications this fall.

Our disappointment comes after participating in several meetings on the topic (Leadership in Fusarium Management, October 23rd, 2017 and February 28th, 2018) and investing considerable time and effort to advance this file. At the Roundtable meetings, assurance was given to the industry that “status quo was not an option” and that the industry could expect the policy changes to be “informed by science.” It was during these, and other meetings, that the government indicated an intent to act and stated a willingness to work collaboratively with the Working Group on creating an environment conducive to investment and innovation.

The government also expressed interest in hearing from other stakeholders prior to implementing policy change and, as such, a broader consultation was launched by Agriculture and Forestry earlier this year. The survey results were shared with industry stakeholders at the Minister’s Roundtable on February 28th, 2018. With over two thirds of the approximately 400 respondents articulating their support for change, we find ourselves at a critical juncture, one where industry is collectively looking to the government to honour their commitment and maintain the positive momentum that has been built on this file. Together, your government and Alberta’s agriculture sector have the opportunity to work collaboratively to implement forward looking, sustainable policy change.

The Importance of a Consistent Province-Wide Approach

Working Group members are concerned that a zoned or regional approach to Fg would create a patchwork of policies depending on whether Fg is “commonly found” or “not commonly found” in a region. This approach is not effective with an airborne and seed (plant material) borne pathogen that does not recognize regional boundaries.

Inconsistent policies will lead to the inconsistent application of Best Management Practices (BMPs). More broadly, access to new genetics will be inconsistent, placing Alberta farmers at a competitive disadvantage with one another and with as well as other jurisdictions. Farmers in Alberta have experienced significant lag time, as compared to their Saskatchewan counterparts, when it comes to accessing the same genetics.

A uniform approach needs to be established as a checkerboard approach will not benefit Alberta farmers and seed producers. Taking a zoned approach, thereby placing the onus on municipalities, does not encourage the introduction of new genetics nor does it allow all farmers to establish trade relationships with neighbouring jurisdictions. Furthermore, given the airborne nature of the disease, a zoned-approach does not represent sustainable change. When fusarium spreads (as it will) into the zones designated as ‘not commonly found’, the policy will have to be revisited yet again. We understand your stated intention of creating sustainable and forward- looking change, deregulation of Fg is needed to achieve that.

At a time when the province has indicated it wants and needs to do all it can to both diversify and strengthen the economy, including agricultural production, we are requesting a policy change that supports the long-term growth of Alberta’s agriculture sector. The creation of a consistent province-wide approach which can only be achieved through the de-regulation of Fg, is the best way to effectively advance BMPs, encourage meaningful investment, innovation, and ultimately industry growth.

On behalf of the Industry-Led Working Group whose membership represents over 14,000 barley and wheat farmers, 800 certified seed growers and 19,000 seed processors, along with their industry partners at the provincial and national levels, we are requesting a meeting with you to ensure that deregulation of Fg is treated as a priority when Alberta’s Legislative Assembly returns on October 29th, 2018. Please contact Erin Gowriluk, Manager, Government and Industry Relations with Syngenta and coordinator of the Working Group to arrange a time to meet. Ms. Gowriluk can be reached at [email protected] or by telephone at 613.324.6667.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to working collaboratively with your government to advance this file; one of utmost importance for Alberta’s agricultural sector.

Sincerely,

Ward Oatway Hector Ouellette Chairman, Alberta Seed Growers Association Chairman, Alberta Seed Processors Association

CC: The Honourable Rachel Notley, M.L.A., Premier of Alberta