The B.C. Agriculture Plan

Executive Summary

Throughout our history and well into our future, agriculture has and will continue to play an essential role in the social and economic well-being of British Columbia. However, agriculture is at a crossroads in responding to pressures to produce local healthy food at a competitive price in a global marketplace, while facing an increasingly sophisticated consumer who is concerned about the environment and is demanding quality, value-added products.

Agriculture is ideally positioned to make contributions to climate change mitigation, a cleaner, greener environment and the improved health and well-being of British Columbians.

In order to achieve long-term success for the agriculture and food sector, British Columbia needs a plan for the future. The B.C. Agriculture Plan outlines 23 strategies that create a roadmap to sustain and facilitate the growth and diversification of the industry while increasing public awareness, understanding and support for the people who produce our food. These strategies are articulated within five overarching themes that encompass the challenges and opportunities faced by farm families today. At the heart of this plan is the Province of British Columbia’s agriculture vision:

Continued development and growth of an economically viable and resilient agriculture and food sector which contributes significantly to:

  • the health of British Columbians;
  • climate change mitigation;
  • environmental sustainability; and
  • a growing B.C. economy.

I. Producing Local Food in a Changing World

The tremendous regional differences in B.C. from a climatic, geographic, economic and demographic perspective have resulted in the most diverse agricultural production of any province in Canada. This diversity provides unique opportunities to supply fresh, healthy food directly to consumers, while reducing the distance from farm to plate. Direct farm marketing and further development of local food markets can contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting food from around the world. B.C. farmers are also looking increasingly beyond traditional farm enterprises to generate income. Some farmers have diversified into food processing and others are taking advantage of B.C.’s natural beauty by expanding into agri-tourism.

Strategies:

  1. Promotion of B.C. agriculture and food products at the provincial and local levels.
  2. Implement initiatives to strengthen community food systems.
  3. Implement initiatives to improve childhood health using B.C. agriculture and food products.
  4. Promotion of human, plant and animal health, and food safety.

II. Meeting Environmental and Climate Challenges

The world has turned its attention to the critical issues of environmental impact and climate change, and agriculture plays an important part in helping British Columbians address these challenges. Agriculture’s value to our way of life extends beyond the production of food. Agricultural land provides ecological goods and services that are valued by society, such as the provision of wildlife habitat, air quality, water quality and the conservation of biodiversity. We will put an emphasis on developing agricultural opportunities for addressing climate change – contributing to B.C.’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 33 per cent by 2020.

Strategies:

  1. Implement initiatives to improve environmental management in the agriculture and agri-food sectors.
  2. Implement approaches for farmers to receive benefits for ecological goods and services (EG&S).
  3. Address climate change and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from food production and processing.
  4. Integrate needs of agriculture in provincial water management policies and programs.
  5. Optimize forage production for livestock grazing on rangeland.
  6. Enhance and coordinate province-wide, invasive plant management.

III. Building Innovative and Profitable Family Farm Businesses

Agriculture can be a profitable business for both big and small producers. Keeping B.C.’s agriculture sector economically viable and sustainable is key to preserving farm families and a society that values all of the attributes of healthy, local food and a vital, rural landscape. To ensure viability in an industry undergoing unprecedented change, farmers will need to embrace new technologies and innovations, particularly to adapt to farming in a warmer climate.

Agriculture production carries inherent risks and uncertainty – from natural disasters, to disease, to labour shortages – which can dramatically affect business viability. B.C. has been working with the federal government to strengthen the suite of Business Risk Management Programs and support supply-managed systems to provide greater stability to farm incomes.

Strategies:

  1. Ensure that programs intended to mitigate business risks meet the needs of B.C.’s diverse agriculture sector.
  2. Implement sector-based strategic plans.
  3. Review farm property assessment and Provincial Sales Tax (PST) policy as it applies to agriculture.
  4. Assist the agriculture industry with human resources, succession planning and new entrants.
  5. Strengthen current extension services.
  6. Establish an industry-led, self-sustaining agri-food and bioproducts innovation centre.
  7. Represent B.C. agriculture interests with the federal government and other jurisdictions.

IV. Building First Nations Agricultural Capacity

Agriculture can play a key role for First Nations in developing economic opportunities while ensuring a supply of local, healthy food for their communities. We will work to expand the capacity for First Nations to deliver their own agriculture extension while working to develop a First Nations brand that can be used in the marketing of their unique food and agri-food products.

Strategies:

  1. Facilitate First Nations participation in agriculture initiatives.
  2. Develop programs for First Nations at postsecondary institutions to build agricultural skill sets.

V. Bridging the Urban/Agriculture Divide

There was once a great distance between “the city” and “the country,” but increasing urban populations and sprawling suburban development have brought the city’s borders right up against the farm. The differences in attitudes, lifestyle and priorities of the urban versus the rural populace, which is commonly referred to as the “urban/agriculture divide,” has become a big issue in agriculture. The more the public is aware of the importance of agriculture to their own economic, physical and mental health, the more understanding there will be of the needs of local farmers. The government firmly believes that the preservation of agricultural land through the Agricultural Land Reserve serves a compelling public interest, in addition to playing a role in zoning land in which agriculture is recognized as the priority use.

Strategies:

  1. Increase awareness and interest in agriculture and food among B.C. youth.
  2. Preservation of agricultural land for future generations of farm and ranch families.
  3. Implement strategies to minimize conflict between rural and urban residents.
  4. Increase agriculture industry input at the local government level.

Conclusion

The B.C. Agriculture Plan: Growing a Healthy Future for B.C. Families reflects the values and concerns that the public and farm community voiced to the Agriculture Plan Committee about the future of agriculture in British Columbia. It provides a vision and direction for sustaining farm families, improving profitability through direct farm marketing while playing an important role in reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

Next page >>