KAMLOOPS – A raft of lawsuits is a symptom of the province’s dysfunctional reconciliation process, ranchers say, and point to the need for a reset. Exhibit A is a 10-year-old land claim the Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc Nation (SSN), made up of the Tk’emlúps and Skeetchestn bands, filed in BC Supreme Court in 2015 to assert …
NEWS
CFIA proposes traceability updates
VANDERHOOF – Proposed amendments to the identification and traceability sections of the federal Health of Animals Regulations are receiving mixed responses from industry, who support the changes but say they come with added tagging and reporting requirements, and could compromise safety. “[The Canadian Food Inspection Agency] is moving to make traceability requirements more robust with …
Task force presents blueprint for growth
ABBOTSFORD – A sheaf of recommendations for creating a better business environment for BC producers is now in the hands of the province. The final recommendations of the Premier’s Task Force on Agriculture and Food Economy were submitted in late November and published by the province almost immediately on November 24. “They were published on …
Townhall looks to the future of agrivoltaics
OLIVER – Convincing farmers and others of the potential of harvesting solar power alongside agricultural crops was front and centre at an in-person/online learning townhall in Oliver, November 14. A handful of growers, as well as municipal staff and consultants, attended in person to learn how agrivoltaics – solar panels incorporated into agricultural operations – …
Sumas flooding spurs call for action
A series of atmospheric rivers once again led to flooding across Sumas Prairie this past week, renewing questions about flood mitigation measures for the region. A system that moved the region last week saw the Nooksack River overtop its banks on December 10, with the water flowing north into Canada the following day. The flood …
Milk testers remain on strike
One month after voting in favour of strike action, unionized milk testers in BC remain on strike. Testers, employed by Lactanet and represented by the BC General Employees Union (BCGEU), voted 89% in favour of strike action on November 18. A 72-hour strike notice was served on November 21, and testers walked off the job …