KAMLOOPS, B.C. – A wide ranging agriculture and food policy is being written in British Columbia.
In a province that provides only $70 million for agriculture from an annual $20 billion budget, setting out a mandate is a tall order.
Agriculture minister Dave Zirnhelt insists the policy is more than a budget consideration. He calls it an attitude shift that gives agriculture recognition and support for its work, as well as setting priorities for agriculture spending.
“What comes out of it is an attitude that we must, above all, support food production and agriculture production in non-edible products,” said Zirnhelt.
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A proposal for the policy grew out of a B.C. Federation of Agriculture resolution two years ago. Since then public consultations have started.
A B.C. provincial election is due within six months. Zirnhelt said he thinks the policy planning will continue if a new party comes to power.
“If the policy is good enough no government will be able to ignore it,” he said in an interview.
The minister wants the consultation process with farmers finished by February. Later the province will consult with food processors, other agriculture-related businesses and the public.
During the B.C. Federation of Agriculture meeting last week, delegates evaluated the latest draft of the policy which carries six objectives.
They placed economic viability for B.C. farmers near the top of the list.
“If we have economic viability then the rest would follow. The healthy rural families and communities and then the ability for farmers to achieve the other things that were listed in the objectives,” said dairy producer Anne Lang-Harris.
There were also questions about meaning of the objectives. One delegate suggested it’s better to use straightforward language that outlines exactly what farm policy should be in the province rather than issuing general statements.
“They’re nice ideas with no wheels under them,” said orchardist Dave Hobson.
Setting new directions in farming
Six objectives of B.C.’s proposed new agriculture policy link all areas of the business including primary producers, processors, distributors and consumers of food.
q The first objective is to supply reliable, secure and safe food.
q The second is economic viability.
q The third is to encourage responsible stewardship of agricultural land, water and air so it can produce food for future generations.
q The fourth is retaining strong rural families and communities. Services such as health care, education and retail outlets must be maintained in the country or families will leave.
q The fifth is to win public support for agriculture and encourage more consumption of made-in-B.C. products.
q The final objective is to maintain strong partnerships with marketing agencies and all levels of government. The most important partnership is between producers and consumers.
