ARMSTRONG – Small-scale producers say the province needs to rebuild rural food processing capacity if it wants them to thrive. While small, local producers have come into their own in recent years and drawn several aspiring farmers to rural acreages, the rules often restrict growth and leave them scrambling for the kind of support that …
NEWS
Ottawa announces new rules for foreign workers
BC is awaiting details of federal plans to develop mandatory requirements for seasonal worker accommodations provided by farmers as well as a stronger inspection regime. The initiative of Employment and Social Development Canada was announced July 31 by Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion minister and Delta MP Carla Qualtrough and federal agriculture minister Marie-Claude …
Farms retain tax status
BC farmers won’t have to worry about losing farm class status of their properties in the coming year. The province announced July 29 that all properties currently classed as farms with the BC Assessment Authority would continue to hold that status on the 2021 tax roll. “Our government is committed to helping farmers maintain their …
BC organic growers flourish
BC is the leader in Western Canada when it comes to organic fruit and vegetable production, with more than 3,974 acres (not including potatoes), according to Statistics Canada. This is approximately 9.3% of the national total of 42,430 acres. Revenues from organically grown fruits and vegetables (excluding potatoes) from BC farms totalled $39.8 million last …
Blueberry plant faces COVID-19
At least 15 workers were infected with COVID-19 at Fraser Valley Packers Inc., a blueberry packing plant in Abbotsford, health officials announced on Monday. The plant is located at Short Road in Abbotsford. The investigation into the outbreak started on July 23. Teams from the Fraser Health Authority are working with the plant doing ongoing …
Wineries reopen amid COVID-19
Tweaks to public health regulations governing bars and restaurants will mean few changes for the province’s wineries. A surge in cases prompted the province’s public health officials to clamp down and ban dancing and require patrons to be seated to receive service at bars, restaurants and other licensed establishments. In addition, parties are limited to …