Diagnostic services provided by the BC Ministry of Agriculture are continuing through the COVID-19 pandemic, says the executive director of the Plant and Animal Health Branch. Jane Pritchard said that the branch is trying to minimize the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on the agriculture sector by remaining open and providing its services, which she …
NEWS
Province to consider value-added options
The province plans is preparing to explore options for accommodating value-added activities within the Agricultural Land Reserve. “We’ll be working on a workplan around the economic diversification policy options which include the agritourism, processing and on-farm food and beverage services,” Anna North, an assistant director, policy, with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, told the Certified …
Meat inspection budget tightens
Abattoir operators have been put on notice that regular shifts for provincial meat inspectors must not exceed seven hours a day unless authorized by the province. “I am asking that all slaughter establishment operators adhere strictly to the scheduled inspection services, which do not exceed seven hours per day,” Gavin Last, executive director of the …
Cherry growers discuss trade
Trade and research were the topics at the annual meeting of the BC Cherry Association in Kelowna on March 3. The industry has grown substantially in the last 15 years, thanks to the opening of export markets. China, Japan and California are now major buyers of BC cherries. “But we need to continue to diversify …
Auction raises relief funds
The annual Make a Difference Sale takes place at the Abbotsford Stockyards this week to raise funds for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. While cattle are at the heart of the auction, other lots include livestock feed and accessories, tools, gift baskets and other items. This year’s auction takes place March 12, beginning at 10 am. …
Most farmers support Daylight Savings Time
DELTA—Spring ahead? Fall back? Or just skip the whole thing? According to a provincial survey of public opinion, nearly 92% of farmers favour a proposal to put the province on Daylight Savings Time year-round. That’s slightly less than the provincial average, which saw more than 93% of the 223,273 respondents speak out in favour of …