A report on the potential of Canada’s agriculture sector has won applause from the Canadian Federation of Agriculture as the national farm organization ramps up efforts to put farming front-and-centre in the country’s election. RBC says the farm sector could boost its contribution to Canada’s gross domestic product to $51 billion by 2030, up from …
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Vehicle violations rise
An interagency committee set up in 2007 to ensure farm vehicle safety following a horrific crash in Abbotsford that killed three people has been busy this summer. Known as the Farm Workers’ Inter-Agency Compliance Committee, the body oversees the inspection of vehicles used to transport farm workers, such as the bus that hit a ditch …
Better beekeeping, verified
BC bees won’t be resting on their laurels later this month as BC beekeepers head to Montreal for the international convention of apiarists, Apimondia. Vancouver hosted the event in 1999, and a healthy contingent of beekeepers will be heading east for this year’s conference. Meanwhile, their bees will continue produce honey, something they’ve been happily …
New waste control rules kick in October 1
ARMSTRONG—Rules replacing the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation kick in October 1, but producers should take steps now to ensure they’re in compliance. The province unveiled the Agricultural Environmental Management Code of Practice (AEMCoP) in February. Come October 1, producers need a risk assessment if they plan to apply manure or other nutrients to land located …
Province extends deadline for meat consultation
MERRITT—The province’s latest bungle in the seemingly endless consultations on meat processing in the province have added yet another note of frustration to the voice of Julia Smith. Smith, president of the Small-Scale Meat Producers Association, is baffled at the province’s reasoning for not including industry in a request for feedback from local governments about …
Minimize the risk of corn silage fires
ENDERBY—AgSafeBC urges farmers to inform themselves on the risks of corn silage fires. The organization is working with the BC Ministry of Agriculture, BC Dairy Association, WorkSafeBC and relevant fire departments to determine the reasons behind five incidents of smouldering corn silage in the eastern Fraser Valley in September 2018. Two of those episodes were …