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 …
NEWS
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 …
Province funds tissue disposal
The province is providing $500,000 to help BC abattoirs deal with waste animal tissue following slaughter. “This is great news,” says Nova Woodbury, executive director of the BC Association of Abattoirs, one of a number of industry representatives who advised the province on the funding. “Animal hide prices are low, options for waste disposal are …
SAWP leeway sought
With applications now being accepted for seasonal workers arriving in 2021, farm leaders are stepping up efforts to negotiate entry restrictions on returning workers. Many nursery operations requiring workers in the opening days of January but the requirement for foreign arrivals in Canada to self-isolate for 14 days could delay when they start work. To …