The Editor, Open letter from the BC Agriculture Council regarding the core review of and potential restructuring of the Agriculture Land Commission (ALC) under the B.C. Oil and Gas Commission: The B.C. Agriculture Council (BCAC) regards the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) as a vital structure in preserving farmland in B.C. The BCAC also believes the single most important factor in successfully preserving farmland is to preserve the farmer.
This is best achieved by ensuring a comprehensive economic and regulatory framework exists that supports the viability of farm operations.
The BCAC supports the current core review of the ALR and Agricultural Land Commission (ALC). The ALC Act has not kept pace with changing farm practices or societal needs.
This core review is a necessary step in order to effectively protect the land and the livelihood of the people most effected.
However, farmers and ranchers must be actively engaged as the government examines ways to protect farmland, support farm families and ensure a healthy local food supply. We expect the core review process to engage with farmers before final decisions are made. Changes to the ALR have to involve meaningful discussions with the stewards of the land the farmers. The review must also consider that British Columbia is a regionally diverse province. A number of regions within the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Okanagan face considerable pressure from urban development, while open areas in the Interior and Northern B.C. have different needs. The ALR/ALC must include regulations that reflect the needs of each region and compensates farmers fairly and in a timely manner.
While regional consideration is required, previous governance of ALC has shown that to effectively protect farmland for future generations, the administration and decision-making process of farmland use must be independent of direct regional and provincial government influence.
Moving forward, provincial and municipal governments, industry and consumers need to work together to develop a long term provincial agriculture and food strategy that establishes priorities for land use and the security of local food.
Farmers and ranchers understand there are competing land uses that must be considered. However, the ALR was established to protect the land.
We do not support the increase of responsibility for farmland decisions by the Oil & Gas Commission and demand responsibility is returned to the ALC.
This proposal constitutes an outward conflict of interest and in no way does it serve the public good in protecting farmland.
BC Agricultural Council
