Abbotsford city council approved a flood mitigation strategy for Sumas Prairie on June 13. The preferred option is a hybrid of three of the four options presented to residents, farmers and business owners in April. Comments were accepted until May 15. The feedback led councillors to choose a strategy that focuses on enhancing Abbotsford’s existing …
flood
Recovery fund deadline extended
A historic funding package has seen minimal disbursements to date, prompting the province to extend the deadline for applications. Producers impacted by catastrophic flooding and landslides following last November’s atmospheric river events will have until August 31 to file claims with the Canada-BC Flood Recovery Program for Food Security. “We’ve had over 400 applications so …
Sumas Prairie farmers sue government
Two farms on Sumas Prairie are asking BC Supreme Court to certify a class action against the city of Abbotsford, Fraser Valley Regional District, and the province for their failure to warn property owners, residents and businesses of the flooding that inundated Sumas Prairie in November and to respond in a timely and appropriate manner. …
CanadaGAP participation drops
While retail sales channels demand more from producers, CanadaGAP statistics indicate more producers in BC are demanding less regulation. The food safety certification program debuted in 2008 and includes 3,000 participants from across North America’s fresh produce sector. The annual report for the program year ended August 31, released in advance of CanadaGAP’s annual general …
Insurance under scrutiny
ABBOTSFORD – BC residents suffered significant losses this year as wind, wildfire and floods walloped their farms and properties. But insurance payouts will cover just a fraction of these losses. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, total insurable losses as of mid-December totalled less than $650 million. “A brand new farm building should have …
Interior ranchers feel forgotten
PRINCETON – All hands were on deck to help residents in Abbotsford and the eastern Fraser Valley after record rainfall in mid November cut highway connections to the rest of Canada. Repair crews rushed to remove debris from major freight corridors, including Hwy 7, the Coquihalla and Hwy 1. But ranchers in the southern Interior …