The following resolutions were debated at the January 23-24, 2024 Provincial ASB Conference.
RESOLUTION 1-24: AGRICULTURAL EQUIPMENT HIGHWAY SIGNS
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST Alberta Transportation provides each Agricultural Service Board with signs that state “Slow Down Around Agricultural Equipment” to be installed on highways, at locations determined by the individual municipality.
PASSED
RESOLUTION 2-24: COMPENSATING PRODUCERS FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST that the Federal and Provincial governments develop and implement immediately a “good actor” compensation mechanism for producers performing ecosystem services beneficial for society.
FURTHER THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Federal and Provincial governments investigate creating an exchange to trade Carbon and other ecological services for compensation at the minimum rate already determined by the Federal Government.
PASSED
RESOLUTION 3-24: CREATION OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION INSURANCE
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST that the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation work with AFSC and consult stakeholder groups in the livestock sector to develop a new Livestock Production Insurance Program or other suitable program..
PASSED
RESOLUTION 4-24: SUPPORTING A COMPENSATION MULTIPLIER
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST that the Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation and Environment and Protected Areas work with the Alberta Beef Producers to adopt their proposed compensation multiplier to address direct and indirect losses from predation.
PASSED
RESOLUTION 5-24: WILD BOAR AND THE ALBERTA AGRICULTURAL PEST ACT
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST that the Government of Alberta amend the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act to require Minimum Containment Standards for Alberta Wild Boar Farms, with penalties to enforce noncompliance.
FURTHER THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARD REQUEST that Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation invoke a moratorium on expansions of Wild Boar Farming in Alberta, until the province makes a decision on the future of Wild Boar Farming in Alberta.
PASSED
RESOLUTION 6-24a: IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN APICULTURE THROUGH BEE PACKAGE IMPORTS AND THE CONTROL OF VARROA MITES
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICES BOARDS REQUEST that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) permit Honeybee shipments from the United States for the purpose of hive repopulation, to combat the depopulation of Canada’s Honey Bee hives;
PASSED
RESOLUTION 6-24b: IMPROVING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF CANADIAN APICULTURE THROUGH BEE PACKAGE IMPORTS AND THE CONTROL OF VARROA MITES
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the CFIA and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) conduct further research on Varroa Miticide controls, and approve a new Varroa Mite miticide to address the lack of control options available to honey producers.
PASSED
RESOLUTION 7-24: RE-REGISTRATION OF 2% LIQUID STRYCHNINE FOR CERTIFIED APPLICATORS
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation propose to Health Canada and Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to allow Strychnine to be used exclusively by certified applicators.
FURTHER THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the existing strychnine label be subject to meticulous review and amendment, with a specific focus on reducing the potential for off-target exposure and implementing enhanced control measures to mitigate any adverse environmental impact.
PASSED
RESOLUTION PC1-24: Financial Sustainability for Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC)
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that Alberta Agriculture & Irrigation (AGI) facilitate the establishment of a stable funding framework for FCDC that includes the retention of existing infrastructure, sites, and human capital for the continued enhancement of programs for seed breeding and agronomic research.
PASSED
RESOLUTION E2-24: SUPPORT FOR THE EXPORT OF LIVE HORSES FOR SLAUGHTER
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT ALBERTA’S AGRICULTURAL SERVICE BOARDS REQUEST that the Government of Alberta jointly lobby the Government of Canada alongside Alberta’s Agricultural Service Boards and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) to prevent these Bills from receiving royal assent.
Agricultural Service Boards 