Grape

As published in 2007, grapes are grown on 11 218 hectares (27 875 acres) in Canada. Ontario leads in grape production with 78% of the national production, followed by British Columbia at 21%, Quebec at 1% and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick at less than 1%. Total national production stands at 78 775 tonnes ( Statistics Canada).

On-Going Grape Strategy

The Pesticide Risk Reduction Program identified grapes as a priority crop. General grape production information and issues along with pest issues are documented in the Crop Profile for Grape in Canada. A grape issues document, extracted from the crop profile, was used as a discussion tool in grape stakeholder meetings and consultations to help identify the top insect, disease and weed issues. General issues of concern and potential solutions to these issues are also discussed at these meetings. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAC) Pest Management Centre prepared both documents in consultation with the grape industry, the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program's Technical Working Group and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).

Grape Stakeholder Meetings and Consultations

Western Grape Stakeholder Meeting

A stakeholder meeting was held September 19, 2005, in Summerland, British Columbia, to prioritize issues, identify possible solutions and propose members for a national steering committee. Participants included growers, provincial specialists, researchers, the pesticide industry and federal government representatives (Pest Management Centre and PMRA).

Eastern Grape Stakeholder Consultations

After consultations with representatives from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, it was decided that a formal stakeholder meeting was not necessary because each province has already provided their prioritized issues and potential solutions through correspondence or annual provincial reports.

Grape Steering Committee

The national steering committee is comprised of grape growers from various province (British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec), scientists, provincial specialists, and a representative from the Pest Management Centre the PMRA. The steering committee identified mildews (powdery and downy), leafhoppers, grape berry moth and cutworms as their top priority issues (February 21, 2006).

Grape Working Groups

• Mildews (powdery and downy)
  Meetings: April 2006
• Leafhoppers
  Meetings: May 2006
• Grape Berry Moth
• Cutworms
  Meetings: May 2006

Research Funded Under the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program

The Pesticide Risk Reduction Program has funded several projects addressing the priorities established by the Grape Working Group in consultation with the Pest Management Centre and the PMRA.

Projects Funded to Date

• Environmental assessment and phytosanitary efficacy of a drift recovery sprayer (Project Code: PRR06-130)
• Developing mating disruption for the integrated management of grape berry moth (Project Code: PRR07-230)
• Grape IPM System: Model to Adoption and Adaptation of IPM system for Canada (Project Code: PRR07-590)

For further updates, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.