A growing online petition is calling for urgent action to rescue BC Tree Fruits Co-op, a key player in BC’s fruit industry, from the brink of bankruptcy.
The co-op, which has been a lifeline for over 330 local farmers for nearly nine decades, is now facing a financial crisis, with debts amounting to CA$50 million.
The petition, which has already garnered over 2,440 signatures, is directed at British Columbia Premier David Eby, Agriculture Minister Pam Alexis, and members of the legislative assembly.
It warns that the collapse of the co-op could leave small farmers with no means to market, store, or sell their produce, particularly table grapes, apples, and pears.
The co-op announced its intention to wind up operations in a letter to its members on July 26, citing a severe financial strain due to crop failures and more than $58 million in liabilities.
The situation worsened after the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce issued a repayment notice for over $50 million.
The co-op’s struggles are largely attributed to extreme weather events, including a harsh freeze in January, following previous losses from a freezing winter in 2022 and the heat dome of 2021.
In response to this crisis, the petition demands that the provincial government halt the co-op's liquidation and allow members to vote on the future of the organization.
It also calls for access to essential resources like storage and packing facilities for the upcoming 2024 season and urges the government to back a loan to keep the co-op operational.
The provincial government has offered some support, including a $15 million boost to the AgriStability program and an additional $5 million for a tree fruit climate resiliency program.
However, petitioners argue that more needs to be done to protect the livelihoods of nearly 300 fruit farmers who depend on the co-op.
The loss of BC Tree Fruits Co-op would be a significant blow to the local agriculture industry, particularly for small, family-run farms.
The petition emphasizes that protecting these farmers is crucial for BC’s food security and the sustainability of its agriculture sector.
The petitioners are urging immediate action to prevent the co-op’s dissolution and ensure the future of BC’s fruit-growing community.