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VANCOUVER - Some of British Columbia’s most productive agricultural land could turn into highways and parking lots in the coming years unless changes are made to the province’s Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), says a new report by the David Suzuki Foundation.
“B.C.’s farmland is facing death by a thousand cuts,” says Ann Rowan, director of the sustainability program at the David Suzuki Foundation. “We need decisive leadership from the province to ensure our best farmland doesn’t get paved over.”
The report Forever Farmland shows in recent years farmland that is nestled along the edge of towns and cities has fallen prey to regional development. Between 2001 and 2006, thousands of hectares from Courtenay to Invermere have been eliminated from the ALR and converted into subdivisions. The pressure to remove land from the ALR is greatest near the major population centres where the most productive farmland is predominantly located. Ninety per cent of the land added to the ALR since its inception has been in the north, while 72 per cent of the land lost has been in the more fertile southern part of the province.
More than 30 years ago, when the province created the ALR, it also established a land commission to look after the land and encourage farming practices. However, short-term demands threaten to overshadow the long-term vision of protection.
“It appears the ALR’s commission has conceded to regional pressures for economic development. We must take action now to protect the long-term integrity of our farmland,” says Rowan.
Loss of agricultural land also affects local businesses. Dave Van Seters, CEO and President of Spud Home Delivery service says he depends on local farms to run his business. “Local food is fresher, more environmentally-friendly and better for the economy. Without a strong agricultural reserve system, we are at risk of losing access to some of the best crop-growing regions in B.C.”
Forever Farmland’s recommendations are two-fold: the province must give clear, comprehensive direction to the land commission to remain focused on the long-term; and the land commission must be enabled to carry out its original mandate of agricultural preservation. In addition, the province must develop policies that support the viability of farms and farmlands.
“Our vision is to make Canada a leader in sustainability by 2030 and strong agricultural practices are a critical part of this equation. When we protect our farms, we ultimately protect our quality of life,” says Rowan.
download the Report (PDF 927KB)
For more information or to arrange interviews, contact:
Jason Curran
Communications specialist
David Suzuki Foundation
604-732-4228, ext. 229