WHEREAS local governments have instituted programs to control invasive plants and a Provincial Invasive Plant Management Strategy has been developed to prevent the spread of invasive plants; AND WHEREAS private companies grow invasive plants and harvest seeds for retail distribution to gardeners and commercial producers: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM urge the federal and provincial governments to prevent the cultivation and sale of invasive plants.
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands The provincial government, in partnership with the Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia, has undertaken an initiative in 2007 to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to prevent the sale and trade of invasive plants. The goal of this initiative is to establish best management practices for the industry that both protects the economic viability of the industry as well as prevents the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive plants. Collaboration with local weed committees, the Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia, federal agencies, the landscape and nursery industry, and gardening groups is key to this approach. This initiative will establish a partnership with the horticultural and nursery industries to educate the industries about the impacts of invasive plants in the province. Information brochures are available to raise awareness of the impacts of invasive plants and to provide gardeners with non-invasive planting alternatives. Provincial funding for invasive plant management was approximately 4.2M in 20072008. In 20082009, the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands provided annual grants totalling 960K to local governments, community invasive plant committees, and the Invasive Plant Council of British Columbia towards the prevention and control of invasive plants. Most local weed committees seek to inform local nurseries and garden centres about the potential threats to certain plant species, and educate landowners and gardeners. About 25 of the noxious weeds and invasive plants both terrestrial and aquatic in British Columbia are plants that were originally cultivated as ornamentals. Many plants and seeds sold in retail nurseries and garden centres, and promoted by gardeners, landscape architects, and others are known to be invasive. Existing provincial legislation enables provincial government, communities and local governments to regulate and enforce control of certain existing noxious weeds and other invasive plants. Only regulation under the Community Charter Act allows for prohibition of the sale of wildflowers though this is weakly defined.
Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Ministry for the Canadian Wheat Board The CFIA is currently developing a policy to address plant taxa of concern to Canada - including invasive plants. Before finalization, this policy will be distributed to interested stake holders for their comments. The CFIA would be pleased to add your name to that list. At the same time, the CFIA has begun development of a Canadian invasive plant framework - the vision of which is to establish a national invasive plant program. This framework will be developed through strong active partnerships that clearly articulate the roles and responsibilities for all levels of government and Canadians in the prevention, early detection, response and management of invasive plants. The next phase in the development of the framework will include discussions with a broad range of stake holders - including municipal governments.