An organization is looking to face off against the Regional District of North Okanagan again.
The Sterile Insect Release program will be given another opportunity to appear before the RDNO board after its presentation Wednesday was cut short so directors could watch the Stanley Cup final.
“A lot of the information was rushed through and they will be invited again so they can present the full information that was skipped over,” said Rick Fairbairn, RDNO vice-chairperson.
Because of plans to end the meeting early Wednesday and resume discussions Thursday, presentations were held to a strict 10-minute timeline.
“I’m sorry you had to rush through the presentation,” director Shirley Fowler told SIR officials.
“I am sorry we didn’t have more time to spend on it.”
SIR officials are prepared to head back to the regional district.
“We welcome an opportunity to speak further about the SIR program,” said Cara McCurrach, SIR general manager.
SIR was first initiated in 1991 and the goal is to control the impact of codling moth on the commercial apple and pear industry.
The program includes the use of sterile moths and mating disruption, as well as population monitoring, enforcement and education.
“It’s the only program that uses sterile moths on such a large scale,” said Hugh Philip, an SIR contractor.
“The program has achieved its performance level and is keeping (apple) damage down.”
The other focus of SIR is reducing the amount of pesticides orchardists must use to control codling moth.
“Eighty to 90 per cent of growers don’t have to put a spray on or a maximum of two sprays in a season,” said Philip.
Besides orchardists, the program includes apple trees in residential yards.
“Everyone in the area is required to control the pest,” said Philip.
The program is funded through taxpayers in the Okanagan as well as a parcel tax on orchardists.
