LAKE COUNTRY, B.C. – Farmers are disappointed Bill 24, introducing the first changes to B.C.’s Agriculture Land Reserve (ALR) in more than 40 years, continues to move forward despite opposition.
“We do this, we’re going to compromise our future,” said Penny Gamble, a Lake Country farmer and orchardist who sat on the Agriculture Land Commission in 1991-1995. “There are areas in the north that currently aren’t being farmed that much. But with climate change and with future demand that could become very important in the future.”
B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick said he’s taken the last three weeks since his re-appointment to the office to listen to what British Columbians have to say. And while hard to come to a consensus, he believes the changes to the ALR will still protect farmland.
The B.C. Agriculture Council and B.C. Food Systems Network both are disappointed the legislation is moving forward.
Bill 24 had second reading at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria Tuesday.
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