US: Relief measures following crop loss will allow British Columbia wineries in Canada to import grapes and juice

—by Kate Prengaman Following a near-total crop loss for the British Columbia wine industry, the provincial government announced a relief effort that will temporarily allow wineries to import grapes and juice. The announcement was applauded by wine industries on both sides of the U.S./Canada border. In British Columbia, it means keeping wineries — and the wider tourism industry supported by those wineries — in business. In Washington, wine growers dealing with oversupply issues have the resources to support the Canadian industry. Wine Growers British Columbia celebrated the decision in a news release. “The B.C. wine industry’s economic impact extends well beyond our cellar doors, impacting construction, education, hospitality and tourism,” said Paul Sawler, chair of the board, in a statement. “This regulatory change expands the options for B.C.’s wineries, most of which are small, family-owned operations, to survive the impacts of these past few years and ensure living-wage jobs ...