Encouraging food processing in the Agricultural Land Reserve

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

The Province is leading a six-week engagement with B.C.’s agricultural and food-processing industry, local governments and First Nations on a proposal to expand food-processing opportunities in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) that will help strengthen food security, support farmers and attract new investment.

At a time of significant trade uncertainty with Canada’s neighbours to the south and with global conflicts that are disrupting traditional supply chains, it is more important than ever to strengthen food security in B.C.

Supporting food security, farming and the food economy

The proposal aims to encourage more food processing in the ALR on land that is not well suited for primary production, while protecting prime farmland in B.C. and protecting and strengthening the ALR’s primary purpose of agricultural production.

The proposed regulatory change would allow food processors to build food-processing plants on Class 5-7 soil (and Class 4 if the parcel is serviced by the date this rule is implemented) in the ALR, so long as 5% of the primary product used in the processing is grown or raised in the province.

The discussion paper with more information on the proposed changes is available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Food_Processing_ALR_Discussion_Paper.pdf

The soil classification condition in this proposal would exclude about 90% of ALR farmland in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, with 500-1,000 hectares expected to be potentially available for food-processing development.

The proposal intends to connect food processing in the ALR with farming in the ALR, creating new markets for farmers and driving more investment back to B.C. growers.

Soil testing and local government support required

Those seeking to build new food-processing facilities would require an assessment from a registered professional agrologist to ensure the soil classification meets the criteria and need to meet building and any other permits from local governments and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Ministry of Environment and Parks.

The current regulation allows processing on the ALR (without Agricultural Land Commission approval) if 50% of the ingredients are from the farm in question or from fellow member farms of an industry association and does not consider soil quality as a factor. The 50% rule would remain in place on all other land in the ALR.

Feedback is invited from interested parties until Sept. 3, 2026, by email to AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca

New BC Meat Licensing Regulations

Courtesy of the Government of BC:

It will be easier for B.C. families to buy, serve and enjoy beef, pork and poultry raised in their own communities under a new meat licensing system that supports farm businesses in rural parts of the province and makes it easier to sell locally raised meat in B.C.

“We’ve worked with ranchers, abattoir operators, health authorities and local governments to increase the amount of locally raised meat in rural communities,” said the Hon. Lana Popham, BC's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. “The new meat licensing system will increase food production, support regional food security, stimulate local economies and prioritize food safety.”

The system will use three licence categories that recognize and support the different sizes of meat processing and livestock businesses in the province.

A farmgate licence has been created to help new and small-scale producers sell their products locally and fill the demand for local meat products in rural communities. With this licence, producers can sell from their farmgate or at farmers markets within their regional district and at farmers markets within a 50 kilometre radius of their farm if they border a different regional district.

A second category, farmgate plus, will replace current Class D and E licences. It will be available provincewide and will help alleviate ranchers’ and producers’ concerns about accessing processing services, as well as provide new sales opportunities at farmers markets, retail shops and restaurants.

A new abattoir licence will replace current Class A and B licences. It is synchronized with existing business and licence procedures, and will continue to offer fully inspected meat production with no restriction on volume or sales within B.C.

All licences will be valid for a five-year term and will be effective Oct. 1, 2021, with existing licensees transitioning automatically. The new licence framework follows in-depth consultation with ranchers, abattoir operators, local governments and meat producer organizations, including the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, BC Association of Abattoirs, BC Cattlemen’s Association, First Nations Agricultural Association of BC, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and Small-Scale Meat Producers Association.

The changes are the latest the B.C. government has made since 2017. They are part of an ongoing partnership with B.C. ranchers, abattoir operators and local governments to increase food production and security in rural communities.

Learn More:

Further details about the new licences and requirements are available at:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/food-safety/meat-inspection-licensing

Buy BC has information on local meat products and other B.C. agriculture, food and beverage products: https://buybc.gov.bc.ca/

Learn more about local meat producers providing sustainable and safe meat products to B.C. families: https://bcmeats.ca/

The Small-Scale Meat Producers Association represents B.C. farmers and ranchers who are raising meat on a community level: https://smallscalemeat.ca/

Backgrounders on this item (What people are saying about this initiative & New Meat Licensing Categories) can be viewed here)