No ID, no help: that’s the message from the province with the passing of the deadline for farmers and ranchers to register for PremisesID, which became mandatory July 1.
The province reports that 7,000 premises, or 86% of livestock premises, now have an identification code. When the province announced mandatory registration in February 2021, it estimated registering 8,100 premises.
“We are working towards getting full compliance and taking a patient approach focusing on education and outreach to achieve it,” a statement from the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food stated.
Those who don’t will not be able to access ministry programs.
“Livestock owners will require a Premises ID to access ministry funding in many of our programs moving forward,” the province stated. “Making participation in the Premises ID program mandatory will help ranchers, livestock operators and communities being better prepared to respond to emergencies.”
The province has long noted the quick uptake among ranchers following the unprecedented wildfire season of 2017. Those who formerly objected signed on, facilitating valuable support as herds were relocated.
PremisesID was also critical in providing support to producers during last fall’s flooding in the Fraser Valley. The valley is at the heart of the province’s supply managed sectors, which have had a 100% participation rate in the program.
“BC ranchers, poultry, dairy and hog producers are supportive of the new mandatory regulation. They have experienced the value it offers firsthand and know the difference it makes,” the province stated.
Drought fears washed away