Highbush blueberry

As published in 2007, highbush and lowbush blueberries are grown on 47 941 hectares (63 077 acres) in Canada ( Statistics Canada). British Columbia is Canada's highest highbush blueberry producing province with approximately 95% of Canadian production ( Government of British Columbia). In 2006, production there was at 139 000 tonnes, of which 50% of the highbush blueberries were used for processing (Veinot, 2007).

On-Going Highbush Blueberry Strategy

Health Canada (HC) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Pesticide Risk Reduction Program identified field highbush blueberries as a priority crop. General highbush blueberry production information and issues along with pest issues are documented in the Crop Profile for Highbush Blueberry in Canada A blueberry issues document, extracted from the crop profile, was used as a discussion tool in highbush blueberry 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. AAC's Pest Management Centre prepared both documents in consultation with the highbush blueberry industry, the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program's Technical Working Group and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).

Highbush Blueberry Stakeholder Meetings and Consultations

Ontario Stakeholder Meeting

An Ontario highbush blueberry stakeholder meeting was held on December 13, 2006, in Mississauga, Ontario. Participants included Ontario grower representatives, provincial specialists, researchers and pesticide industry representatives. The meeting focussed on identifying issues related to highbush blueberries and put forward possible solutions to the issues.

Western Stakeholder Meeting

A Western highbush blueberry stakeholder meeting was held on January 10, 2007, in Abbotsford, British Columbia. Participants included grower representatives from British Columbia and Manitoba, provincial specialists, researchers and representatives from the pesticide industry. The main meeting objectives were to identify issues related to highbush blueberry and put forward possible solutions to the issues.

Research Funded Under the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program

One project has been funded under the Pesticide Risk Reduction Program for the biological control of root weevils.

Projects Funded to Date

• Field application on Metarhizium anisopliae (Met52) for management of root weevils in berry crops (Project Code: BPI07-090)

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

References

Veinot, R. (2007) Report, Blueberry Section of the Apple and Fruit Committee. In. Annual Report, Canadian Horticultural Council 85^th Annual General Meeting,Vancouver, B.C. March 7^th-10^th, 2007.