Protecting Farmland and Local Food

Financial advisors tell us wise planning involves making decisions today that are oriented to our future needs. The same applies to decisions about the natural capital—like air, water, soil, plants and animals-- we hold in trust for future generations.

A good example of planning oriented to the future can be found in the Canadian province where David Suzuki lives: British Columbia.

In the early 1970s, British Columbia designated good quality farmland in the province as an “Agricultural Lands Reserve” (ALR).  The reserve is essential because once developed, agricultural land can never be fully recovered or restored.

In recent years however, decisions in the province have led to significant losses in productive agricultural land where it matters most--near the major population centres, which is where most of the productive farmland is located.

Alterations to the ALR have been geographically lopsided: 90 per cent of additions were placed in the north, while 72 per cent of the land lost is from the more fertile southern part of the province. In 2006, the David Suzuki Foundation released “Forever Farmland”, which closely examined the state of the Agricultural Land Reserve at a critical time in its history. The land reserve provides a variety of services to British Columbians, including food security - fresh produce is located in close proximity to large communities - as well as many important economic opportunities.

download the Report (PDF 927KB) read the news release

The report makes the following recommendations:

• Revision of the Agricultural Land Commission Act and the Agricultural Land Commission’s annual service plan to ensure consistent and clear commitment to protection of agricultural land.
  
• A more open, transparent, and accountable application process for removals, subdivision, and non-farm use of ALR lands
  
• Develop a more comprehensive regional planning process. Removal of land for “community need” applications should only be part of a comprehensive review of ALR boundaries.
  
• The provincial government must undertake or facilitate authoritative research on a wide range of factors likely to impair the viability of farming now and in the future.
  
• The provincial government must develop policies to support farms and farming practices that contribute to the health of communities and the environment.
  
• Municipalities and regional districts must plan to protect existing agricultural land as a permanent legacy for future generations.

British Columbians want their Agricultural Land Reserve. A Viewpoints Research public opinion survey in 1997 found that 90 per cent of British Columbians felt government should limit urban development to protect farmers and farmland.

Protecting farmland has a number of important 'side effects'

1) Food Security—Making sure that food is available ensures that future generations have good quality farmland available.

2) Biodiversity—Farmland is often good habitat for migratory birds and other animals, and is part of a varied landscape

3) Less energy intensive—Producing food close to home reduces the greenhouse gas emissions needed to bring food from farm to table. Eating an apple from BC releases about 87% fewer greenhouse gases in the atmosphere as a local one.

4) Jobs—One study in Ontario estimated that 50,000 new jobs would be created if consumption of local foods was equal to 1970 levels.

5) Food quality—Less travel means fresher food...and what tastes better than fresh, local produce? That’s why many well known chefs are looking to local food producers for seasonal ingredients.

“Forever Farmland” shows how the very regions where urban growth and development is greatest is where there is the strongest pressure to remove lands from the ALR. Urban development, agriculture and other intensive land-use practices are attracted by similar values: low elevations, level ground, accessibility and nutrient-rich soils.

Losing farmlands to urban development involves more than losing farmers and the productive capacity of the soil. British Columbians enjoy the variety of local produce in their markets and businesses have sprung to meet that demand.

Protecting farmlands is only one part of the puzzle of how to ensure agriculture provides healthy and nutritious foods while protecting the biodiversity and the quality of the land and waters of this province.

British Columbians should be proud of the ALR as a visionary and important accomplishment –we now must work to ensure short-term demands do not erode the long-term vision. Action on the recommendations found in “Farmland Forever” would do just that.