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BC government to meet with farmers, ranchers

April 21, 2014, Abbotsford, BC – The re-appointment of Norm Letnick to the position of Minister for BC Agriculture is bringing new hope to some B.C. farmers and ranchers.

At the request of the BC Agriculture Council (BCAC), Minister Letnick marked his first day in office by hosting a meeting with B.C. farming and ranching leadership to discuss changes proposed to the Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) by Bill 24.

The recent meeting resulted in an invitation by Minister Letnick, and accepted by the BC Agriculture Council, to meet again in a collaborative manner for a full day of discussions on Bill 24. The BCAC has established a steering committee on the ALR, comprised of BC farmers and ranchers and other agriculture land stakeholders, to help guide this discussion.

Farmers and ranchers interested in adding their voice to the steering committee’s discussion with the Minister are encouraged to contact their BCAC director at info@bcac.bc.ca.

“Nobody knows the importance and potential of ALR land more than B.C. farmers and ranchers,” said Stan Vander Waal, chair of BCAC. “I am pleased that Minister Letnick is choosing to acknowledge this expertise. Looking forward, Bill 24 has yet to pass. It is the position of the BC Agriculture Council that as currently written, Bill 24 threatens the sustainability of agriculture in BC. “