Clubroot is a serious soil-borne disease that can seriously impact the yield and quantity of crops in the cruciferous family.
“Since the effects of clubroot can be so devastating, the spread of this disease can be a big concern for landowners who have oil, gas, or utility developments on their land,” explains Jeana Schuurman, rural engagement and communications specialist with the Farmers’ Advocate Office. “Studies have shown that infestations often start at access points which suggests that contaminated equipment and machinery is the most common way that the disease is spread.”
Clubroot was added as a pest under the Agricultural Pests Act in 2007. “This means that landowners have an obligation to take active measures to prevent clubroot, address existing clubroot infestations, and control anything that could contribute to the spread of clubroot. These obligations extend to occupants on land, which could include oil, gas, and utility companies.”
“The basic standard for clubroot prevention is to remove large clumps of soil before equipment enters a field, but landowners may wish to incorporate greater protections into their agreements,” explains Schuurman. The Best Practices in Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s Clubroot Management Plan can provide guidance on what prevention measures could be established. The FAO recommends capturing any commitments in writing, with significant detail.
“One thing landowners should be aware of is that clubroot is enforced at the municipal level under the Agricultural Pests Act. A municipality may have additional conditions related to clubroot protection, but they cannot contradict the provincial legislation. It is important to understand that the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) do not have the enforcement capacity on clubroot prevention unless it is listed in conditions on the company’s licence or approval, which can only be done through a hearing.”
Learn more about Clubroot and Energy/Utility Developments, and contact the Alberta Ag-Info Centre at 310-FARM (3276) for more information.
Source : Alberta Agriculture and Forestry