KAMLOOPS, B.C. – British Columbia producers must remain profitable if the province’s Agricultural Land Reserve is to continue.
That is a main recommendation in a B.C. Cattlemen’s Association paper that calls for revisions to a policy created in 1974 to stop the loss of farmland.
The paper, which was released May 21, has been presented to B.C. premier Gordon Campbell and the B.C. Agriculture Council, which represents provincial commodity groups.
“The only way to have an ALR is to actually have ranchers and farmers on the place farming the land so the ALR can do what it is supposed to do and create food security,” said BCCA president Roland Baumann.
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Income losses and inadequate farm programs have left producers wondering if the reserve is adhering to one of the original promises that said farms must be economically viable, said Baumann.
“The land has more potential than just agriculture.”
For example, landowners are not allowed to erect wind farms or other energy generation programs on ALR land and sell the excess power, he said.
The paper suggested the reserve allow activities such as ecological restoration, efficient irrigation systems, slaughter facilities, value-added processing and industry infrastructure.
It also called for a provincial carbon credit system to compensate B.C. ranchers for existing and future sequestration and suggested initiatives that would reduce the impact that urban and rural development have on the ranching community.
“We feel the effects of sprawl can be mitigated with better community development and co-ordinated land-use planning,” the paper said.
Agricultural water needs must be protected and receive priority over subdivisions, oil and gas development or other industrial uses, it said.
As well, the ALR commission needs to annually review existing agreements to better protect the land and land owners’ rights.
The paper also reminded local governments to develop agriculture area plans that complement their official community plan and strengthen their recognition of farming, ranching and grazing interests.
David Zehnder, chair of the BCCA’s ALR committee, said a survey conducted earlier this year found many producers support the reserve and want a strong policy.
However, many also said there needs to be a better appeal process for ALR decisions.
Zehnder said many farmers could sell their land for millions of dollars for subdivisions or other developments, but choose to remain on the land.
“They have chosen to ignore that and pursue something that is important to them.”
Some attending the BCCA’s annual meeting in Kamloops said the paper needs to strengthen land and subdivision development guidelines.
They were told the paper can still be revised.
