Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

Province Seeks Feedback On Growing Farming, Protecting Farmland In B.C.

Darpan News Desk, 13 Nov, 2019 08:22 PM

    People are invited to an engagement session in Kamloops on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, to have their say on how best to encourage farming and protect farmland throughout British Columbia.


    “Helping farmers, protecting farmland and increasing food production are top priorities for our government and we want to continue the momentum we’ve created – it’s driving the success of this sector in our province,” said Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture.


    “Our government is working hard to expand B.C.’s agriculture industry. We are increasing access to locally grown and raised food and helping rural communities diversify their economies and create sustainable jobs.”


    British Columbians are encouraged to share their insights and opinions on how to best address the following challenges:


    supporting farmers and ranchers in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) to expand and diversify their businesses;

    helping new or young farmers become established on the land and in business; and

    ensuring there is flexibility for residential options while prioritizing agriculture in the ALR.


    Since there have been recent changes by government to strengthen the ALR and Agricultural Land Commission (ALC), the ministry is hosting in-person sessions, along with the ALC, throughout B.C. to discuss the purpose and context of the changes. The sessions will also focus on gathering input from people on the three stated challenges with the goal of supporting B.C. famers and ranchers.


    The first seven sessions took place on Vancouver Island, and in Delta, Dawson Creek, Prince George, Castlegar, Kelowna and Cranbrook.


    Farmers are facing increased risks and unpredictability related to climate change, rising land prices and pressure to use farmland for non-farm activities. Input is needed so the agriculture industry in B.C. can continue to grow and thrive.


    “A healthy agriculture industry is critical to protecting a farmer’s most valuable resource – their land, now and for generations to come,” said Jennifer Dyson, chair of the ALC. “I look forward to continuing to hear from farmers and ranchers and everyone who cares about the incredible capacity of B.C.’s agricultural land base to produce a bounty of food and farm products on ways to do so.”


    The engagement period runs until Nov. 15. An engagement summary report will then be prepared and made public.


    Quick Facts:

    The ALR was established in 1973 because thousands of acres of the province’s limited farmland were being lost to development every year.


    The ALR includes 46,159 square kilometres of B.C., which are preserved for agricultural use. This area is equivalent to only 5% of B.C.’s total land base.


    The ALR is administered by the ALC, an independent tribunal mandated to preserve and encourage farming on agricultural land.


    The ALC looks at many factors when carrying out its mandate. Each application has its own set of circumstances and is considered on its own merits.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    First Nations, B.C. Cabinet Discuss Updating Laws To Align With UN Declaration

    British Columbia's Indigenous leaders and provincial cabinet members are holding their annual meeting and Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says,

    First Nations, B.C. Cabinet Discuss Updating Laws To Align With UN Declaration

    University Of B.C. Launches 5G Campus

    University Of B.C. Launches 5G Campus
    VANCOUVER - Rogers Communications and the University of British Columbia have fired up what is believed to be Canada's first 5G-powered smart campus.    

    University Of B.C. Launches 5G Campus

    27 Yr-Old Anmol Saggu Charged With Second-Degree Murder of 50-Yr-Old Brampton Man Taranjit Singh

    Police say the incident happened in Mono, Ont., when a allegedly assaulted the victim after an argument.

    27 Yr-Old Anmol Saggu Charged With Second-Degree Murder of 50-Yr-Old Brampton Man Taranjit Singh

    Crown Seeks To Overturn Bail For RCMP Intelligence Official In Secrets Case

    Crown Seeks To Overturn Bail For RCMP Intelligence Official In Secrets Case
    The Crown is asking an Ontario court to overturn a decision to grant bail to a senior RCMP official accused of breaching Canada's secrets law.

    Crown Seeks To Overturn Bail For RCMP Intelligence Official In Secrets Case

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford Offers To Host Premiers' Meeting

    TORONTO - Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he has offered to host a meeting of the premiers in Toronto after what he calls a divisive federal election.    

    Ontario Premier Doug Ford Offers To Host Premiers' Meeting

    Leafs Fan, 11, Gets Massive Twitter Response To Disappointing Birthday

    CORNER BROOK, N.L. - Some high-profile athletes are rallying around a young Toronto Maple Leafs fan after the boy's dad tweeted that the 11-year-old had a disappointing birthday.    

    Leafs Fan, 11, Gets Massive Twitter Response To Disappointing Birthday