The BC Ministry of Agriculture is finally beginning to update slaughter practices. Comments are being accepted on a rural slaughter modernization intentions paper published September 14. The paper proposes increasing the standards of inspection for class D and E facilities to more closely align their uninspected slaughter practices with those of inspected class A & …
NEWS
Apples smoked by fires, labour
The smoke blanketing the southern half of BC over the past week from fires in Washington and Oregon is another blow to apple growers hoping for a good crop in the face of low prices and a labour shortage. “The sunny days and cool nights we had earlier in the month are what helps the …
Mushroom production up
Detailed statistical information on Canada’s mushroom sector has been hard to come by. During the study of piece rates the province commissioned in 2018, researchers found the mushroom sector among the least forthcoming with info on production, rates and workers. A mandatory industry survey by Statistics Canada earlier this year, however, notes that BC is driving growth in Canadian …
Second residences still allowed
The province will allow landowners in the ALR to place a manufactured home for immediate family on their properties through July 31, 2021 pending the development of new policies. The province announced the extension on September 4 with the release of a summary of feedback to an intentions paper issued at the end of January. …
Peace leads land deals
Provincial property transfer data indicates that sales of BC farm properties fell 11% in the first six months of the versus a year earlier. A total of 632 properties changed hands, with the Peace region being the most active. Northeastern BC saw 116 properties change hands during the first half of the year, or 18% …
Activists in court
Activists charged in last year’s invasion of the Excelsior Hog Farm in Abbotsford have appeared in court. A total of 21 counts were read against four individuals at the provincial courthouse in Abbotsford on September 3 in relation to the incident. Amy Soranno, Jeff Rigear, Roy Sasano and Nicholas Schafer have each been charged with …