WHEREAS clubroot is declared a pest under The Pest Control Act and is a serious disease of cruciferous plants such as canola that can cause devastating yield losses, is easily transferable and there are limited options for controlling this disease; and

WHEREAS crop rotation has been recommended as an important management tool to control clubroot in the provincially recognized Saskatchewan Clubroot Management Plan;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation to refuse coverage on plant susceptible crops, including clubroot resistant canola varieties, seeded where a plant susceptible crop was grown the year prior.

Response from Honourable Lyle Stewart, Minister of Agriculture:

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation provides insurance coverage for losses that are caused by legitimate, uncontrollable factors. SCIC expects producers to follow industry-recommended practices. Customers are expected to educate themselves through consultation with industry experts. Where disease, such as clubroot, or any other agronomic practice has contributed to yield loss, SCIC may reduce or deny coverage and liability. Because Crop Insurance utilizes individual coverage, lower yields as a result of continuous canola acres would be reflected in a producer’s future coverage and potentially higher premiums, as surcharges are applied for repeated claims. SCIC continues to discuss the risks associated with shortened rotations with the canola industry.