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Clubroot Control

Res #: 12-08M
Number: 12
Year: 2008
Midterm: Yes
Expired: Yes
Responses Received: No
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

Whereas clubroot is a soil-borne disease that can drastically reduce yields in canola crops; and

Whereas clubroot has not been identified in Saskatchewan but has been identified in both the Edmonton region and Newell County region in Alberta; and

Whereas clubroot is mainly spread by soil movement containing soil borne spores which can be transferred via soil residues left on machinery and equipment; and

Whereas equipment and machinery used in industries such as potash mining and in the oil industry are coming into Saskatchewan from Alberta; and

Whereas the Government of Alberta added clubroot to the list of pests that are managed via Alberta’s Agricultural Pests Act in 2007 and devised a Clubroot Management Plan that outlines enforceable management and sanitation measures to prevent the spread of clubroot;

Be It Resolved that SARM strongly urge the Provincial Government to add clubroot to the list of pests that are governed via The Pest Control Act in Saskatchewan, and to devise and enact a provincial clubroot management plan, so municipalities have the necessary regulations in place to enforce management and sanitation measures to prevent the spread of clubroot to soils in their area.  

Response from Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agriculture:

Regarding your resolution concerning clubroot control, I share your concern about the serious potential threat this plant disease represents to our canola industry.  To that end, as part of a provincial clubroot management plan, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture is examining the implications of incluidng clubroot as a declared pest in the Pest Control Act.   Consultation with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) will be undertaken as draft regulations are developed.

In the meantime, the Ministry is continuing to develop and provide an educational awareness program to help growers and industry members prevent the introduction of clubroot into Saskatchewan.

Further response from Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agriculture:

The Saskatchewan Clubroot Initiative was established in April 2009, representing the Ministry, SARM, and a number of research and industry groups concerned about clubroot. The provincial Clubroot Management Plan was developed to promote awareness and identify priorities for clubroot prevention and management. 

To further strengthen our clubroot prevention and surveillance, clubroot was declared a pest in Saskatchewan in June 2009 by a Minister’s Order. For a description of the municipal powers to manage declared pests, please see attached copies of The Pest Control Act and amendments to The Pests Declaration Regulations

Thank you for your continued support of the Ministry’s initiatives to educate growers and prevent clubroot in Saskatchewan. 

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