WHEREAS the Agricultural Land Commission, created as an autonomous body in 1974, has served to protect over four million hectares of farmland in the Province of British Columbia; AND WHEREAS measures to protect farmland and support farmers and regional food systems are essential to provide food security in the face of increasing global transportation and energy costs and the impacts of climate change: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request that the provincial government respect the integrity of the province-wide Agricultural Land Reserve and support its management by an independent and adequately funded Agricultural Land Commission; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial government work with the agricultural community, UBCM and local governments to identify and implement additional measures that will increase the viability of farming and food production in British Columbia.
Ministry of Agriculture The Province of British Columbia continues to be committed to the Agricultural Land Reserve and the protection of agricultural land to support farmers and farm families. In spring 2014, the Province enacted improvements to the Agricultural Land Commission Act ALCA that will continue to protect farmland in British Columbia and maintain the Agricultural Land Commissions ALC independence. The spring 2014 amendments to the ALCA will assist farmers and farm families to flourish by recognizing regional differences, strengthening regional decision making and enhancing the ALCs service to the public. In addition, the Province has provided new funding for the ALC, including 1.6 million in 2011 and another 4 million over three years in Budget 2013. These funds are to increase the ALCs capacity to conduct boundary reviews, increase compliance and enforcement and work more closely with local governments, farmers, ranchers and agricultural organizations to preserve agricultural land and encourage farming. The Province is committed to promoting additional measures to increase the viability of farming and food production through Growing Forward 2 funding for innovative projects, expanding foreign and domestic market opportunities, and promoting local agri-foods products.