E-Delivery

This winter, APG is working on many key files with a priority on working with our na onal organiza on, Pulse Canada, on India regarding the con nued challenges with market access. The announcement of the 50% tariff on peas was unexpected, and Pulse Canada was immediately on the issue to learn more. This is an ever- changing situa on that will con nue to be a priority for our industry. In February, APG will be sending a board member to the Pulse Conclave in Delhi alongside provincial representa ves to communicate that Alberta-grown pulse crops are good quality and are consistently available to address the needs of the Indian marketplace. APG will also be amplifying any further na onal posi ons with respect to India. Risk management dictates that industry should be looking at a mul tude of market opportuni es to mi gate market access challenges, such as those the industry is currently experiencing. For example, market development in China is a significant opportunity. In November, APG travelled to China to see how pulses and pulse ingredients are being incorporated by the processing sector and discovered how those products are viewed by the Chinese popula on. Allison Ammeter, APG Past Chair and Pulse Canada's current Vice Chair, joined Pulse Canada and Saskatchewan Pulse directors for a week of industry and government mee ngs. This market poses a significant opportunity that Alberta's industry needs to explore. Meanwhile, at recent mee ngs, the provincial board set aside funding for the next five years for the opportunity to support pulse industry research in the Pulse Agri-Science Cluster and Agronomy Agri-Science Cluster programs in the amount of $2.09 million. This investment covers a variety of progressive and important projects that will benefit the industry in areas like gene c improvement, advanced agronomy, sustainability, pulse u liza on and food as medicine. The submission will be provided to the Canadian government this winter and the industry expects to hear from government in the spring regarding the outcome. Over the coming mee ng period, APG will be engaging the membership on changes to the organiza on's service fees, or levy. Directors and staff will be discussing a reduc on from 1% to 0.75%. The board recognizes that our industry has been in growth mode. There is s ll poten al for expansion of acres and, with the current commitments and the future opportuni es, the board is cognizant of the members' contribu ons. Even with the current market challenges, there are s ll dedicated research investments on the horizon and APG is commi ed to con nue suppor ng the grower community. Directors and staff look forward to hearing your views on this change. I also wish to extend the invita on to pulse growers to join us at FarmTech and our Annual General Mee ng on January 31, 2018 at the Edmonton Expo Centre at Northlands. There are many things to discuss, and this is a great way to engage with your representa ves on the commission. I hope to see you there. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE 2018: THERE'S A LOT ON OUR PLATE... Leanne Fischbuch, Execu ve Director P U L S E C R O P N E W S W I N T E R 2 0 1 8 | 5

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