• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Country Life In BC Logo

The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915

  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Archives
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Search
  • Headlines
  • Calendar
  • Subscribe
  • Archives
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Search

Primary Sidebar

Originally published:

May 2018
Vol. 104 Issue 5

Subscribe Now!

Sign up for free weekly FARM NEWS UPDATES


By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Country Life in BC, 36 Dale Road, Enderby, BC, V0E1V4. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact
Your information will not be
shared or sold ever

Stories In This Edition

Fraser Valley bee shortage overstated

Still waiting: ag waste regs

Cannabis shift delivers hit to vegetable sector

Peter’s legacy

Editorial: The straight dope

Back Forty: Our best friend deserves greater recognitiontory

Overheard: Farmers should embrace First Nations model

Change is coming, fast and furious

Foundation effective in fueling ag projects

New meat producer association launched

Sidebar: On board

Traceability regs to include animal movement

Report recommends FN approval on tenures

Province urged to regulate farmhouse size

Dairy group highlights industry needs on tour

Ottawa plays hardball with Agassiz leases

IAF showcases innovative ag projects

Neonics in water not from farm operations

Potato growers need to exploit opportunities

Spuds in tubs

Vegetable commission optimistic

Sidebar: Variety update

MacAulay grilled over farm labour issues

Apiarists want pollination income to count

Sidebar: BCHPA launches pollinator health study

Raspberry growers increase board size

Popham meets with berry growers

Hazelnut growers flush with optimism

Ranchers schooled in disaster preparation

Westgen eyes beef semen sales for growth

Big prize money draws big entries

Holstein auction sets new sale benchmark

North 40 bull tops Vanderhoof sale

Reclaiming market share in a global economy

Day-neutrals show promise for strawberry fields

Weather skews results in Peace variety trials

Salal berries have market potential

Vole control in blueberries

Wannabe: When tragedy brings us together

Watchful eye

Woodshed Chronicles: Henderson masterminds an apology

Jude’s Kitchen: Celebrate May with beef on the ‘barbie’

More Headlines
Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

Like us on Facebook

BC shoppers can once again expect above-average food price increases in 2020, according to the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Nationally, food prices are set to rise 2% to 4%, on top of a 3.7% increase this year. But steady wage growth and a good economy mean BC grocery and restaurant prices will outpace the national average. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, a family of four spent $1,017 a month on groceries in 2017; a conservative estimate based on the Dalhousie University estimates means that same family is spending closer to $1,160 a month today — just a fraction of which returns to the farmer. Country Life is BC's agricultural news source. ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

BC shoppers can once again expect above-average food price increases in 2020, according to the Agri-food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. Nationally, food prices are set to rise 2% to 4%, on top of a 3.7% increase this year. But steady wage growth and a good economy mean BC grocery and restaurant prices will outpace the national average. According to the BC Centre for Disease Control, a family of four spent $1,017 a month on groceries in 2017; a conservative estimate based on the Dalhousie University estimates means that same family is spending closer to $1,160 a month today — just a fraction of which returns to the farmer. Country Life is BCs agricultural news source.
  • Likes: 4
  • Shares: 5
  • Comments: 5

Comment on Facebook

So are producers going to see more money as well?

Why ?

This was reported at exactly, to the day, this time last year. Exactly the same “percentage” of hike as well,,,,, i smell a rat

"steady wage growth"???? What is your definition of "wage"?

That's what you people get if they elect socialists.

View more comments

BC farmers can look forward to better access to domestic and foreign markets, according to the throne speech that opened Parliament following October’s federal election. “[We] will remove additional barriers to domestic and international trade for businesses and farmers, continue with ambitious investments in infrastructure, and reduce red tape so that it is easier to create and run a start-up or small business,” said the speech. Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the first piece of compensation this month for market access granted under international trade agreements. A review of the rules governing online commerce is also in the works. Watch for more details in the new year in Country Life in BC, the agricultural news source for British Columbia since 1915. Subscribe: buff.ly/2JhvVYH ... See MoreSee Less

1 day ago

BC farmers can look forward to better access to domestic and foreign markets, according to the throne speech that opened Parliament following October’s federal election. “[We] will remove additional barriers to domestic and international trade for businesses and farmers, continue with ambitious investments in infrastructure, and reduce red tape so that it is easier to create and run a start-up or small business,” said the speech. Dairy farmers can also expect to receive the first piece of compensation this month for market access granted under international trade agreements. A review of the rules governing online commerce is also in the works. Watch for more details in the new year in Country Life in BC, the agricultural news source for British Columbia since 1915. Subscribe: https://buff.ly/2JhvVYH
  • Likes: 5
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

  • Likes: 15
  • Shares: 0
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Secondary residences could be allowed on all properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve under changes the BC Ministry of Agriculture is considering. The details follow comments agriculture minister Lana Popham made to farmers’ institutes last Friday regarding changes her ministry is considering. Second homes such as mobile dwellings and carriage houses could be built without an application to the Agricultural Land Commission, though what say local government might have over the dwellings has yet to be determined. Whether or not the second homes could be permanent structures is also unclear. However, the ministry has confirmed that the proposed change would be for all ALR landowners, not just farmers, who it notes are allowed two, three or more residences with approval from the ALC. Country Life in BC is the agriculture news source for BC's farmers and ranchers. Sign up for free FARM NEWS UPDATES delivered weekly to your inbox. buff.ly/2H3dK8k ... See MoreSee Less

2 days ago

Secondary residences could be allowed on all properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve under changes the BC Ministry of Agriculture is considering. The details follow comments agriculture minister Lana Popham made to farmers’ institutes last Friday regarding changes her ministry is considering. Second homes such as mobile dwellings and carriage houses could be built without an application to the Agricultural Land Commission, though what say local government might have over the dwellings has yet to be determined. Whether or not the second homes could be permanent structures is also unclear. However, the ministry has confirmed that the proposed change would be for all ALR landowners, not just farmers, who it notes are allowed two, three or more residences with approval from the ALC. Country Life in BC is the agriculture news source for BCs farmers and ranchers. Sign up for free FARM NEWS UPDATES delivered weekly to your inbox. buff.ly/2H3dK8k
  • Likes: 48
  • Shares: 50
  • Comments: 13

Comment on Facebook

We shouldn't need approval from the ALC to have those residences! The ALC SHOULD NOT be in the housing regulation business!!

The article reads "...the province is considering allowing all landowners, whether or not they farm, to build secondary residences in the ALR, providing owners first register the residences with the ALC. These include both mobile homes and carriage houses, though whether these could be permanent structures is unknown." This would be positive news for families or for farms who put staff housing on site. A lot of local governments still don't like the huge homes but should consider with applications square foot caps and how many generations/families are living together; and how one large home actually is more efficient in the long run, as a larger homes can serve as a multi-family dwelling (instead of a family having to fragment and build/buy separate smaller ones that are geographically separated). Also some families living in the ALR can't afford to purchase a separate piece of land or a separate home to live offsite or commute to the family farm, so I like this idea Lana Popham

Well, good news. Too late for Woodwynn farms. Will it stop three 12000 sq ft mansions from being built instead of just one?

Finally.......now maybe we can get our daughter moved onto our land

Excellent news

Harassing BC Farms is the GreeNDP’s last nail in the coffin. Big trouble next election.

A really bad idea.

one could only hope..

Jim Grieve

Gord Rockvam...

This is what I don't understand - "...farmers, who it notes are allowed two, three or more residences with approval from the ALC." If that is true, what is the fuss? Why open it up to ALC owners who are not farmers? I also do not understand why they use square footage instead of the footprint of the dwellings and infrastructure as a way to measure housing. Isn't it the actual land that needs protection? In that case, you could build up and it would decrease the amount of infrastructure needed. I also agree that not all ALC land is suitable for farming. Most of the ALC land was designated by a last minute fly-over. Nobody checked the quality of the soil. In fact, if you want to get really picky, why allow greenhouses with cement pads to be built on viable agricultural soil. They should be restricted to non-arable ALC land. Hats off to Popham for trying to deal with this complicated mess and for listening to the public.

They would save a lot of headache and money by just aloting a home site area and you can build what you want.

Government should stay out of farming

View more comments

Seven projects will receive nearly $210,000 in funding as part of the first disbursement from the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund, established in 2018 with $20 million to offset impacts from the construction of the Site C dam. The largest grant is $100,000 in support of BC Grain Producers Association projects assessing grain and oilseed varieties suitable to the Peace Region. The research is particularly important as growers wrestle with a changing and more variable climate, something that hit home this year as weather prevented growers from harvesting half the region’s grain crop. A variety of crop management and education initiatives also received funding. Applications are now being received for the 2020 awards, with $291,000 available for disbursement. ... See MoreSee Less

4 days ago

Seven projects will receive nearly $210,000 in funding as part of the first disbursement from the BC Hydro Peace Agricultural Compensation Fund, established in 2018 with $20 million to offset impacts from the construction of the Site C dam. The largest grant is $100,000 in support of BC Grain Producers Association projects assessing grain and oilseed varieties suitable to the Peace Region. The research is particularly important as growers wrestle with a changing and more variable climate, something that hit home this year as weather prevented growers from harvesting half the region’s grain crop. A variety of crop management and education initiatives also received funding. Applications are now being received for the 2020 awards, with $291,000 available for disbursement.
  • Likes: 8
  • Shares: 2
  • Comments: 0

Comment on Facebook

Subscribe | Advertise

Traceability regs to include animal movement

Farm to fork and everything in between will be tracked

Sheep

April 30, 2018 byBarbara Johnstone-grimmer

PENDER ISLAND – Traceability regulations are right around the corner.

The promise is something livestock producers have heard before, but this time the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says it’s the truth.

Sometime within the next year, regulations will require more than just an approved ear tag. Premises will have to be registered and movements of animals reported to the Canadian Livestock Tracking System (CLTS) if producers expect to purchase or sell livestock.

“Producers tell me that we’ve been talking about changes in traceability regulations for a long time and many are at the point where they just want to know what the regulations are going to be and what their obligations are,” says Canadian Sheep Federation executive director and Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA) board member Corlena Patterson.

“We have a general understanding of the changes that are coming,” says Lisa Levesque, traceability and premises identification team lead for the BC Ministry of Agriculture. “The proposed regulations are federal so we are looking forward to seeing the details when they’re published.”

Patterson and Levesque are both members of the industry-government Regulatory Implementation Committee (RIC) formed to identify and prioritize actions to help prepare for a smooth implementation of the amendments to the federal health of animals regulations.

Regulations coming

Draft regulations should be released later this year, and a 75-day comment period will follow. The final regulations will likely be published and take effect sometime in 2019.

Traceability is the ability to trace an item – animal, plant or product – through the supply chain, from farm to  fork, backwards or forwards. The purpose is to provide accurate and timely information to reduce the impacts of a natural disaster, disease outbreak or a food recall.

In the case of a serious situation, such as a reportable disease like BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or ‘mad cow’ disease) or scrapie, animals would be traced back to the home farm and sites in between. Stock that came in contact with infected animals would also be identified through the tracing system.

The system depends on the traceability of animals, the premises where they’re located and movements between premises to be identifiable and tracked. Animal movements will have to be reported to the responsible administrator (with only a few exemptions), and a manifest (paper or electronic) that details the movement will need to accompany animals in transit. Subject premises include farms, auctions, assembly yards, fairgrounds, abattoirs and rendering plants.

These three parts to traceability – identification, premises, movements – allow the tracing of an animal through the supply chain.

If the system works well, the impact of an event on the livestock industry can be minimized and market access can be maintained.

BSE cost livestock producers across Canada upwards of $6 billion in 2003. Current estimates peg the cost of cross-species outbreak of a disease like Foot and Mouth at up to $45 billion.

The new regulations will address gaps in the current livestock identification and traceability system. Proposed regulatory amendments include identification requirements for goats, farmed deer and farmed elk, which increases the number of animals subject to traceability requirements. Regulations have already been in place for identification of bison, cattle, sheep and pigs.

The pork industry in BC and the rest of Canada is ahead of the pack with Pig Trace, a mandatory traceability system in place since 2014. The rest of the livestock industry currently has a broken system, however.

Sheep producers, for example, purchase approved RFID tags and the tag information is stored in the CLTS. Although producers are required to keep records of movements, they aren’t required to report to CLTS.

Moreover, livestock species that share diseases are not currently all subject to traceability requirements; the time to report an event is too long to support an effective response; information about the precise location of livestock is limited; and information on domestic animal movements is lacking.

The new regulations also promise to reduce the maximum time to report a tag replacement, movement or animal death to the responsible administrator from 30 days to seven.

In Canada, premises ID falls to the provinces. BC has made it voluntary but producers will need to register their farms and provide a premises ID number if they want to move livestock to other locations. Registration of the premises can be done by mail or online in a simple 10-minute process that provides producers with unique identifiers for their locations.

Premises ID proved its worth during last year’s natural disasters. According to the BC Cattlemen’s Association, the Cariboo wildfires resulted in almost full registration of its members within days last summer.

To report animal movements or purchases of new animals, producers and other livestock facilities will need to report to the CLTS system online or by telephone. The new Canada Agricultural Partnership (CAP) is expected to have cost-share funding available to assist individuals and organizations purchase equipment and management software to help make the reporting process as easy and accurate as possible.

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

BC considers making premises ID mandatory

Sheep

New year, new funding

Traceability regulations expected next year

Previous Post: « New meat producer association launched
Next Post: Province urged to regulate farmhouse size »

Reader Interactions

Footer

Country Life in BC

36 Dale Road, Enderby, BC, Canada V0E 1V4

  • 604-328-3814
  • office@countrylifeinbc.com

Copyright © 2019 Country Life in BC · All Rights Reserved