VICTORIA – To increase landowner participation in the BC Land Matching Program administered by Young Agrarians, the BC Ministry of Agriculture is drawing on behavioural insights to nudge landowners into leasing their unused farmland to new farmers. Behavioural scientist Christine Kormos presented details and results of the project at the BIG Difference BC online conference …
BC Ministry of Agriculture
Cold snap hits Okanagan fruit growers
Three nights of sub-zero temperatures has brought an end to the growing season for Okanagan fruit growers. This past weekend saw temperatures dip below -5 degrees Celsius across the valley, with temperatures as low as -15 recorded in Oliver. “We’re trying to get things off as quickly as possible,” said Troy Osborne, a director of …
Election delays funding
The provincial election means BC farmers will have to wait for their share of $35 million in emergency funding the federal government announced at the end of July. “During the interregnum, it would not be prudent for the Ministry of Agriculture to take on administration commitments that would bind an incoming administration,” a statement from …
Province launches meat consultation
The BC Ministry of Agriculture is finally beginning to update slaughter practices. Comments are being accepted on a rural slaughter modernization intentions paper published September 14. The paper proposes increasing the standards of inspection for class D and E facilities to more closely align their uninspected slaughter practices with those of inspected class A & …
Wine institute renames
When public health restrictions to fight COVID-19 came into effect earlier this year, wine production was named an essential service alongside other agricultural enterprises. Now, the province’s wineries are emphasizing their connection with primary production through a new name for their trade organization, Wine Growers BC. The name change was endorsed at the annual general …
Under one roof
VICTORIA – The BC Ministry of Agriculture is taking over meat inspection in the province on December 1, consolidating oversight of the sector. “Effective December 1, 2020, all slaughter activity licensed under the Meat Inspection Regulation for class A, B, D, and E meat slaughter licenses will now be regulated under the Ministry of Agriculture,” …