Pitt Meadows concerned about Vancouver’s food strategy
Posted April 1, 2013 11:07 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A new food strategy adopted earlier this year by the City of Vancouver is drawing concern from another Metro Vancouver community.
Pitt Meadows worries part of the plan might end up doing more harm than good.
At issue is a goal by Vancouver to plant more food-bearing trees; Pitt Meadows is concerned the plan could unknowingly harm the fruit industry.
Scott Pelton with the Pitt Meadows Agricultural Advisory Committee fears the spotted wing drosophila, a fruit fly that is invading fruit growing regions. He tells us it attacks fresh fruit and destroys its commercial value.
“The worst thing is if there’s any unpicked fruit, or over-ripe fruit, they’ll lay their eggs in there and it becomes a breeding ground.”
He’s concerned the flies could spread like wildfire if fruit trees are not managed. “It affects all soft fruit. It doesn’t affect cranberries, but for the blueberries, it can be devastating.”
Pitt Meadows Council has written to Vancouver, asking it to reconsider its plan for food-bearing trees.
