NEWSROOM

Industry Updates

Stay up-to-date by regularly checking the the BCAC industry updates page. We track the latest agriculture news and post information related to industry events and happenings.


Ministry of Agriculture Funding Announcement for BC Farmers Impacted by Flooding

Posted: February 7, 2022

The BC and Federal governments are helping farmers impacted by last year’s devastating floods. The new Canada-BC Flood Recovery Program for Food Security provides up to $228 million in funding to help farmers with uninsurable extraordinary damages.


Read more here.

CFA Letter to Prime Minister on BC Flooding Impacts to Farmers

Posted: November 18, 2021

The recent flooding of the Fraser Valley and surrounding areas has created a feed and animal welfare crisis for poultry and livestock in British Columbia that requires immediate attention.


Read more here.

Have Your Say on B.C.'s Permanent Paid Sick Leave

Posted: July 22, 2021

British Columbians are invited to provide input into the development of made-in-B.C. permanent paid sick leave to support workers and protect workplaces. The government is seeking input from workers and employers on their current paid sick leave programs and on what they would like to see in a province-wide model. Complete the survey by September 14, 2021.


Read more here.

B.C. Government Restricting the Use of Rodenticides

Posted: July 22, 2021

The B.C. government announced the sale and use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARS) is prohibited effective July, 21, 2021. Agricultural operators are still authorized to purchase and use SGARs by providing proof of qualifying agricultural status at the point of purchase.


Read more here.

Senate Passes Bill C-208

Posted: June 29, 2021

The Canadian Senate voted in favour of Bill C-208’s adoption on June 22. This private member’s Bill addresses long-standing barriers that make it more costly to transfer a farm to a family member than to a third party and will help strengthen the long-standing tradition of family farming in Canada. The bill is now waiting to receive royal assent.


Read more here.

Canadian Farmers Set Recycling Record

Posted: June 3, 2021

The 2020 recycling rate was just calculated and shows a major surge in recycling agricultural pesticide and fertilizer containers (23L and smaller). These containers were recycled at 76% compared to 71% in 2019.


Read more here.

Licensing Ground Water In BC

Posted: June 1, 2021

The Province is reminding farmers who were using groundwater on or before February 29, 2016, for non-domestic purposes such as irrigation and livestock watering, that they are legally required to apply for a water license by March 1, 2022.


More info.

Electronic Logging Devices in B.C.

Posted: May 27, 2021

On June 12, 2021, updates to the federal Commercial Vehicle Drivers Hours of Service Regulations came into force. These changes make it mandatory for commercial motor vehicle drivers who cross provincial/territorial borders to use electric logging devices to record their hours of service.


More information available here.

AgSafe Elects New Board of Directors

Posted: April 14, 2021

AgSafe, British Columbia's agricultural health and safety association, held their first ever election for directors of the Board at the April 8th annual general meeting.


More information available here.

Government of Canada Invests $1.4 Million to Boost Farm Safety

Posted: March 16, 2021

The Government of Canada highlighted Canadian Agriculture Safety Week by announcing to invest up to $1.4 million over two years to improve farm safety.


More information available here.

Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding

Posted: March 15, 2021

The Buy BC Partnership Program is designed to increase the competitiveness of BC’s agri-food and seafood industry in the domestic market by supporting local marketing efforts and the use of the Buy BC brand. The Buy BC Cost-Shared Funding application closes on April 7, 2021 at 16:30.


More information available here.

2020 Interim Payment Deadline

Posted: February 26, 2021

The deadline to apply for a 2020 AgriStability interim payment is March 31st, 2021.


More information available here.

Mandatory Premises ID regulation on its way

Posted: February 5, 2021

The Province is moving forward with a mandatory Premises Identification (ID) regulation to help livestock producers and communities better prepare for emergencies.


More information available here.

Manure Spreading Reminder

Posted: December 15, 2020

The BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries has developed an interactive worksheet to help producers determine when they can apply manure, and when manure application will be the most effective.


More information available here.

AgriStability Funding Deadline 

Posted: November 19, 2020

The final deadline to submit the 2019 AgriStability forms is approaching. Producers who miss the late submission deadline of December 31, 2020 will not be eligible for 2019 program year benefits.


More information available here.

Emergency On-Farm Support Funding 

Posted: October 27, 2020

Applications are now open for the Emergency On-Farm Support Fund. The program assists producers with costs for improving the health and safety of farm workers and limiting the spread of COVID-19 in agricultural operations. Applications are open from October 28th at 9:00 AM until November 17th a 4:30 PM.


More information available here.

CEBA now open to businesses using personal banking accounts

Posted: October 26, 2020

The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) will be available to businesses that have been operating out of a non-business banking account as early as October 26, 2020. Businesses must have been operating as a business as of March 1, 2020, successfully open a business account at an eligible Canadian financial institution, and meet the other existing CEBA criteria. The deadline to apply for CEBA is December 31, 2020.


More information available here.

Market Development Program 

Posted: October 15, 2020

Develop market opportunities to increase sales outside of BC with the BC Agrifood & Seafood Market Development Program. Applications will be accepted until November 30, 2020.


More information available here.

WorkSafeBC Rate Consultations

Posted: September 29, 2020

Join WorkSafeBC and other employers in your area to learn more about preliminary rates for your industry and what you can do to reduce injuries, claim costs, and your insurance rate. The sessions will be held virtually and will include a 60-minute presentation followed by a question period.


More information available here.

Cleanfarms Collection Events

Posted: September 18, 2020

Cleanfarms will be holding collection events between October 5 and 16, 2020. 6 locations on Vancouver Island and in the Fraser Valley will be collecting unwanted pesticides and old medications.


More information on locations and dates available here.

ALC Land Owner Exclusion Applications

Posted: September 16, 2020

As of September 30th, 2020 private landowners will no longer be able to make an application for exclusion from the ALR. Private landowners can make an application for exclusion to the ALC using the instructions found on their website until September 29 only.


More information available here.

Livestock Waste Tissue Initiative

Posted: September 1, 2020

Investment Agriculture Foundation is providing access to $500,000 for BC-based abattoirs and meat processors to assist with affordable options to legally dispose of animal tissue waste. The program can provide up to $40,000 per applicant with projects being assessed according to set evaluation criteria.


More information available here.

2021 Farm Class Status

Posted: June 23, 2020

Farmers in BC won’t have to worry about losing farm class status of their properties next year. The province recently announced that all properties currently classed as farms with BC Assessment will continue to hold that status on the 2021 tax roll.


More information available here.

Emergency Processing Fund

Posted: June 23, 2020

Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) is delivering funding to eligible applicants with food processing, manufacturing or greenhouse operations in BC to maintain and increase domestic food production and processing. IAF will administer $5 million of cost-shared funding to eligible projects up to $100,000.


More information available here.

2020 AgriStability Deadline

Posted: June 23, 2020

The final deadline to enrol for the 2020 AgriStability program year is July 3, 2020. AgriStability protects agricultural producers against declines in their net farming income due to market conditions, production loss and/or increased costs of production.


More information available here.

BC Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector

Posted: May 29, 2020

The BC Farm, Fish and Food Job Connector is a new online resource created to share jobs in agriculture, while providing agriculture employers with support for their hiring and planning needs. Job vacancies throughout BC will be posted as well as health and safety information for employers.


More information available here.

Greenhouse Carbon Tax Relief Grant

Posted: April 8, 2020

Through the Greenhouse Carbon Tax Relief Grant Program (GCTRG), the B.C. government provides carbon tax relief to B.C. commercial vegetable, floriculture, wholesale nursery and forest seedling operations. The Greenhouse Carbon Tax Relief Grant Program is now accepting applications until Friday, May 1, 2020.


More information available here.

AgriStability Program Improvements

Posted: February 10, 2020

New funding for the B.C. AgriStability Enhancement Program means that up to an additional $9 million is available for qualifying farmers over the next two years. Compensation is being increased from 70% to 80% to protect against declines that threaten the viability of farms.


More information available here.

Increased Interim Payments Help B.C. Farmers Recover from 2019 Losses

Posted: December 20, 2019

B.C. farmers enrolled in the federal-provincial AgriStability program will be eligible to receive a much higher interim payment this winter to help them through a difficult 2019 agricultural year. Increasing the maximum interim payment from 50% to 75% of the estimated final payment will improve cash flow for farmers and help them continue operations as they recover from losses.


More information available here.

Young and New Entrant Skill Development Program 2019/2020

Posted: December 16, 2019

BC Young Farmers (BCYF) is pleased to announce the 2019/2020 addition of the Young and New Entrant Skill Development Program to support young and new farmers in gaining access to the skills they need to reach their farming potential. The program is delivered by BCYF with funding from the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $3 billion investment to strengthen the agriculture and food sector.


More information available here.

AgriStability Deadline

Posted: November 20, 2019

The final deadline for AgriStability applications is December 31st, 2019. Forms are available on the AgriStability website.


More information on the deadline and its requirements available here.

Ministers' Statement on Animal Welfare

Posted: November 7, 2019

Ministers Popham, Eby and Farnworth made a statement at Ag Day in support of livestock producers. The ministers assured the crowd that the provincial government is "working hard to deter those who are illegally harassing and intimidating farmers and ranchers."


Read the full statement here.

Feedback Wanted on Employment Standards Act

Posted: October 8, 2019

The provincial government is seeking feedback on the recent amendments to the Employment Standards Act that raise the minimum working age from 12 to 16 years old. Feedback is especially valuable from farmers and family-run businesses who would like to have their kids involved in the family business. The questionnaire is open until November 15 at 4 p.m.


Provide your feedback here.

ALR Consultation

Posted: October 1, 2019

The provincial government is seeking feedback on how to best encourage farming and protect farmland in BC, particularly surrounding the ALR and encouraging new farmers. Public meetings are being hosted throughout the province during the month of October.


Find the location nearest you.

New BCDA General Manager

Posted: September 12, 2019

The BC Dairy Association Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Jeremy Dunn has been selected as the new General Manager. Mr. Dunn previously served as the Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, where he helped grow the salmon aquaculture sector and bring ocean farmers closer to BC's traditional agriculture community through the BC Agriculture Council. He has a proven track record of strategic communications planning, building public trust, and government advocacy.


Read more.

New Organic Regulations

Posted: September 10, 2019

The Ministry of Agriculture has recently updated the guidelines regarding organic certification in BC. Changes were made to provide greater clarity as to how to be in compliance with B.C.’s Organic Certification Regulation.


Read more.

BCVMB Onion Regulation

Posted: August 23, 2019

The BC Vegetable Marketing Commission has received requests to regulate a number of varieties of onions. The Commission needs to verify if there are any other producers in the province that are currently producing these varieties. Once producers of these onion varieties have been identified, all identified producers will be notified of the next steps in the consultation process.


Read more.

Milk Industry Advisory Committee Board Recruitment

Posted: July 31, 2019

The BC Milk Marketing Board is seeking a board member to sit on the Milk Industry Advisory Committee for a three year term. Board duties include the analysis of detailed statistics in relation to production industry economic impacts, and direct involvement in regional, national and international policies.


Read more.

CFA's 2nd Annual Brigid Rivoire Award

Posted: July 26, 2019

CFA recently announced the launch of the second annual Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health. This annual award recognizes a specific initiative that has made outstanding contributions in raising awareness, addressing stigma, and supporting mental health for farmers in their local community.


Learn more or submit a nominee here.

Temporary Foreign Workers Protection Act

Posted: July 19, 2019

Foreign workers who help fill labour shortages in a wide range of B.C. sectors will be better protected under a new government licensing requirement for recruiters. Those recruiters who help secure employment in B.C. for foreign workers have until Oct. 1, 2019, to acquire a licence. Information about licensed recruiters will now also be available online in a searchable registry so that employers and foreign nationals will know which recruiters are licensed and in good standing.


Read more

New Open Burning Rules

Posted: July 11, 2019

Changes to open burning regulations will come into effect on September 15, 2019. These requirements include shorter burn periods and a requirement to dry out debris, as well as larger setbacks from neighbours, schools and hospitals.


Read more

Advance Payments Program

Posted: July 4, 2019

The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a financial loan guarantee program that gives producers easier access to credit through cash advances of up to $400,000. This means improved cash flow throughout the year and better opportunities for marketing products.


Read more

Job Opportunity - Crop Risk Specialist

Posted: June 26, 2019

The Business Risk Management Branch with the Ministry of Agriculture has an opening for a Crop Risk Specialist. This position will lead our coverage setting and customer service functions in AgriInsurance. It can and should have a significant impact on the quality and accuracy of the insurance products we deliver to the berry and vegetable sectors.


View Job Post

Equine Impact Survey

Posted: May 30, 2019

BC Horse Council is conducting an Economic Impact Study of the horse industry in BC to determine its economic benefits and value to the economy. Whether you are a weekend trail rider, a breeder or top-rank barrel racer, your input is invaluable to the creation of an accurate study.


Complete the Survey

BC Livestock Join the Wildfire Fight

Posted: May 27, 2019

As part of ongoing efforts to help keep communities safe from wildfire, the B.C. government is providing $500,000 to the BC Cattlemen’s Association to develop partnerships and investigate an initiative that will use grazing livestock to manage fine fuels in parts of B.C.


The Province will be working with local governments, the ranching sector and Indigenous communities to develop partnerships and provide opportunities for livestock owners, stakeholders and other interested parties.


Read More

Premises ID Helps Farmers Protect Their Animals

Posted: May 8, 2019

When emergencies and extreme weather events present challenges to farmers, the B.C. Premises ID program — a pillar of Canada’s national traceability system — is one tool farmers and ranchers can use to prepare for the unexpected.


"Traceability programs like Premises ID have proven to be an invaluable resource in reconnecting farmers with their livestock during and after a natural disaster" said Lana Popham. "It’s important for ranchers and livestock producers to register their premises to protect their animals and their businesses.”


Learn more about the Premises ID program

Dairy Code of Practice Survey

Posted: April 16, 2019

Dairy Farmers of Canada has initiated the process to update the Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cattle, together with the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC).


An online survey has been made available to capture top-of-mind welfare topics from stakeholders, as well as the public. The input received will help the Code Development Committee understand the various elements of animal welfare that people wish to see considered in the update.


This short five minute survey will be available until April 19, 2019.

More Information

New MyRangeBC System to Simplify Rangeland Management

Posted: April 4, 2019

Over 2,000 range agreement holders in British Columbia can now use an online system called MyRangeBC to more easily create, update and manage their range use plans.


The B.C. government’s Range Program allocates and administers hay cutting and grazing agreements on Crown rangeland. Each agreement requires an approved and current range use plan.

Read more

PST Exemption Update

Posted: April 2, 2019

Effective April 1, 2019, electricity is fully exempt from PST for all purchasers. Bulletin PST 101, Farmers, has been revised to reflect this change.

View Bulletin

Legislation to Protect Farmland Now in Force

Posted: February 25, 2019

Regulations that strengthen B.C.’s Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) came into force under Bill 52 on Feb. 22, 2019, enhancing food security and encouraging farming in the ALR.

Read more

BC Farm & Ranch Wildfire Preparedness Workshops

Posted: February 19, 2019

The BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative is hosting an agriculture and wildfire risk reduction workshop aimed at agricultural producers from all sectors, wildfire response and emergency personnel, and local government representatives. Producers will gain vital knowledge to prepare themselves and their operations, and to maximize the efficacy and safety of local emergency response in the event of fire. This 6-hour workshop is free, with lunch and refreshments provided.

Read more

New Rules for Agricultural Waste Management

Posted: January 23, 2019

Effective Feb. 28, 2019, a new regulation for Agricultural Environmental Management will replace the outdated Agricultural Waste Control Regulation. It will enhance environmental protection measures, allow better compliance and enforcement activities, and make it easier for farmers to establish environmentally sound practices.

Read more

AgriStability Enrollment Fee Reminder

Posted: November 1, 2018

Last chance to enroll in AgriStability for 2018. The final deadline to pay the enrollment fee on your 2018 Enrollment notice is December 31st, 2018.

Read more

South Coast Manure Spreading Advisory

Posted: October 4, 2018

An October Update to the manure spreading advisory for the South Coast region is available here. The current advisory is can be found on the Ministry of Agriculture's website, here.

Province to Match Red Cross Donations to Help People Affected by Wildfires

Posted: August 20, 2018

To help people affected by the wildfires that are burning around B.C., the Province of British Columbia will match all donations to the Red Cross, up to $20 million.

Read more

Japanese Beetle Considerations for Growers

Posted: August 14, 2018

The number of Japanese beetle found in the Vancouver area continues to climb. Please use precaution to avoid spreading the beetle beyond the Regulated Area or onto your property.

Read more

Important Deadline for AgriStability Producers and Tax Filers

Posted: August 9, 2018

The AgriStability administration would like to remind producers and tax filers that the deadline to submit your complete 2017 AgriStability/AgriInvest Harmonized form without penalty is September 30th 2018.

Read more

July Manure Spreading Update

Posted: July 3, 2018

An update to the current manure spreading advisory is now available. This month’s update is a reminder of the effect that warm weather has on the nutrient value of manure. See the update for more information.

The current advisory and previous updates are available on the Ministry of Agriculture's website.

Read more

Traceability Knowledge Transfer Program is Now Available!

Posted: June 11, 2018

The Ministry of Agriculture is pleased to announce that the Traceability Knowledge Transfer Program is now accepting applications. The Traceability Knowledge Transfer program is available to agrifood and seafood industry organizations to educate their membership about traceability systems, practices, infrastructure and technologies through events such as workshops, seminars, presentations or demonstrations.

The funding supports up to 100% of costs associated with the traceability speaker expenses, to a maximum of $3,500 per event, or $10,000 per sector. Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Read more

WorkSafeBC Invitation to Rate Sessions

Posted: June 8, 2018

You're invited to attend a session on WorkSafeBC’s insurance rates for 2019. Join WSBC, and other employers in your region, to learn more about the preliminary rates for your industry, injury trends in British Columbia, and what you can do to reduce injuries, claim costs, and your insurance rate.

Read more

Resources Available to Those Dealing with Emotional Trauma from 2017 Wildfire Season

Posted: May 30, 2018

It may be the early stages of this year’s wildfire season in B.C, but for some, last year’s run may still be all too fresh. Now, there’s a resource available for those who may be feeling the emotions of last year’s devastating season. The tele-health program, “Talk in Tough Times,” is available for anyone who had to evacuate last year or lost a home and is experiencing depression, stress or anxiety.

Read more

Agricultural Sector Preparedness - Lower Fraser Freshet 2018

Posted: May 22, 2018

The province of BC has activated the Southwest Provincial Regional Operations Center (SW PREOC) to support the response to the 2018 lower Fraser River freshet and the potential for flooding. Additional PREOCs have also been activated in other regions of the province due to the flooding situation and the following information is also applicable to those impacted regions. The Ministry of Agriculture is providing support to Local Governments, First Nations, and agricultural producers through the PREOC. Below we have attached a number of links to provide producers with key information and resources to assist them in preparing, responding and recovering from potential flooding and related impacts.

Producers requiring assistance should first contact their Local Government or First Nation Band Council. Local Governments and First Nations can in turn seek any additional support they require by contacting the SW PREOC.

Key Preparedness Considerations:

  • Plan early for potential livestock relocation
  • Remove pesticides, fuels and other hazardous materials from areas at risk of flooding
  • Protect wells from flood water intrusion
  • Register with Premises ID program to ensure emergency planners and responders have critical information about your operation

1. The River Forecast Center posts key information regarding flood warnings and advisories, snow pack information and current flow models for some waterways. Flood warnings can be accessed at: http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/warnings/index.htm

2. During an emergency event, your local government or band council is a key source of information, here are some of our area regional district links:

3. Some reminders of operational items to consider in preparing for an emergency are available here. Section 1.2 deals with flooding. Other links including notes on well disinfection are available here

4. Safety tips for floodwaters and how to sandbag effectively are available here

5. Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) has been announced for some events in BC in relation to flooding. For more information on DFA, click here. For a list of eligible events please go here. If you and your operation have been impacted please take a moment to look at eligibility criteria to see if this program may apply to you. There are also links to cleanup and recovery information on these pages. Remember that whether you are dealing with a program or your private insurer, careful document any impacts and costs is important and that photos are a great documenting tool.

AgSafe Launches New COR Self-Assessment Website for B.C.’s Agriculture Industry

Posted: May 15, 2018

AgSafe has launched a new free safety self-assessment web tool for B.C.’s agriculture organizations and other naturally aligned industries. The Safety Ready Certificate of Recognition (COR) Self-Assessment website is designed to assist organizations in assessing their readiness for a COR program audit.

Read more

May Update to the South Coast Manure Spreading Advisory

Posted: May 3, 2018

The May update to the manure spreading advisory for the South Coast region is available here. This update includes information on the Canada GAP guidelines for reducing risks to food safety when applying manure.

Read more

Retired WorkSafeBC ILS Director Elected new AgSafe Board Chair

Posted: April 26, 2018

Don Dahr, retired WorkSafeBC Director of Industry and Labour Services (ILS) has been elected the new Chair of the AgSafe British Columbia Board of Directors. Dahr replaces retiring chair Ralph McGinn who served as the Board Chair for the past twelve years.

Read more

Cariboo Fire Centre Urges Caution with Outdoor Burning

Posted: April 24, 2018

The Cariboo Fire Centre is encouraging the public to exercise caution with any outdoor burning activities, due to predicted windy conditions in the region that could bring gusts up to 40 kilometers per hour to some areas on Saturday.

The public is also reminded that Category 3 open fires will be prohibited within the Cariboo Fire Centre’s jurisdiction effective at noon on Monday, April 23, 2018. This prohibition does not apply to campfires or Category 2 fires.

Read more

March Update to Manure Spreading Advisory

Posted: March 6, 2018

With the T-sum value hovering near 200 in several areas across the Fraser Valley, it is important to remember the other factors to consider before a forage field is suitable for spreading manure.

  • The field is not frozen or saturated; subject to flooding or runoff; and is not tile drained with the potential for manure to leave the farm; • Soil temperature should be greater than 5oC measured at a soil depth of 10 cm;
  • Grass is actively growing or;
  • A minimum buffer width of 5 meters (16 feet) is maintained between the application area and sensitive areas and watercourses including ditches;
  • Less than 10 mm of accumulated precipitation is expected for the 5 days following application.

Most fields in the Fraser Valley do not meet these conditions, therefore there is no change to the current advisory. A full Advisory may be issued mid March if conditions change.

View the Advisory

Bridging the Gap Workshop

Posted: February 7, 2018

Is your farm in a state of transition? Are you looking to start the succession conversation? Yes?! Then Farm Management Canada’s Bridging the Gap Workshop is for you! The Bridging the Gap Workshop welcomes farm families to work with renowned farm family coach Elaine Froese and farm management consultant Cedric MacLeod to address some the elephants in the room that are preventing or hindering succession planning back on the farm.

The workshop will take place in Abbotsford on March 6, 2018 from 8 am - 4:30 pm.

Learn more

Rural Development Engagement

Posted: February 5, 2018

The B.C. Government is committed to developing a new, long-term, durable Rural Development Strategy that works for all rural British Columbians. The purpose of this new Strategy is to support rural and Indigenous communities build economically resilient and sustainable futures. Therefore, as an initial step, we are undertaking focused engagement with Indigenous people and rural British Columbians to seek advice on the needs and priorities of rural communities.

We would like to invite you to make written submissions and participate in the online discussion through government’s engagement website at engage.gov.bc.ca/ruraldevelopment. The online discussions and engagement will be open until February 28, 2018 at 4 p.m. We also encourage you to please help spread the word to your networks and communities, so that they can share their stories and ideas. Please feel free to display and distribute the attached poster to let people know about the engagement.

The information gathered will be used by the B.C. Government to build a framework for the Strategy. The framework will then support ongoing dialogue between Indigenous people, rural British Columbians and the Province, to finalize and implement the Strategy. The results of the engagement efforts will also be compiled and posted to engage.gov.bc.ca/ruraldevelopment in Spring 2018.

Instructions for submitting a written submission:

Please address formal written submissions to CitizenEngagement@gov.bc.ca

Please keep written submission to a maximum of five pages. Word or PDF versions are preferred. Please also ensure there is no third party information or personal information in the submission, such as personal telephone numbers or stories that identify specific citizens.

Learn more

Japanese Beetle Found in Downtown Vancouver

Posted: February 5, 2018

All horticulture sectors should be aware that Japanese Beetle was found in significant quantities in a downtown park in Vancouver. This is a voracious eater, affecting food and landscape plants, with host plants including maples, roses, lawns and blackberries, among many others. CFIA organized a meeting of several sectors, providing three otions: eradicate, monitor, de-regulate

CFIA's preference is to monitor the pest and let it spread naturally. The option to de-regulate is not feasible. BCLNA, the BC Invasive Species Council, the Western Canada Turfgrass Assn as well as the City of Vancouver have responded to CFIA advising that eradication is the preferred option. For details, refer to CFIA's Fact Sheet. There is no readily available biological controls.

Speak to your sectors in jurisdictions where JB has occurred for an accurate assessment of its potential affect on your sector in BC, taking into consideration that the climate in coastal BC is milder that other parts of Canada. If you believe that your sector would be affected, please contact CFIA to provide your comments to their proposed actions.

Contact BCLNA to learn more

2018 SAWP Contract for the Caribbean

Posted: January 19, 2018

The 2018 SAWP contract for the Caribbean is now available online. You can view the contract in English or French.

Learn more

2018 SAWP Contract for Mexico

Posted: January 19, 2018

The 2018 SAWP contract for Mexico is now available online. You can view the contract in English, French or Spanish.

Learn more

Extension of Fee Waiver Period for Existing Groundwater Applications

Posted: December 20, 2017

The one-time licence application fee waiver period for existing groundwater users has been extended until March 1, 2019, to make sure users have every opportunity to take advantage of the savings (minimum $250), and to align with the deadline for existing groundwater users to submit an application and have their date of precedence recognized.

Learn more

New Entrant Program Consultation

Posted: December 11, 2017

The BC Milk Marketing Board is conducting a consultation, to assist in the development of a New Entrant Program (NEP), which will encourage new people to enter the dairy industry as producers. An effective New Entrant Program will support the sustainability and social license of the dairy industry.

Learn more

AgriStability Deadline Reminder

Posted: December 6, 2017

The final deadline to submit your 2016 AgriStability/AgriInvest Harmonized form is December 31, 2017. Producers who miss the December 31, 2017 deadline will not be eligible for the 2016 program year benefits.

Learn more

Funding Opportunity for Livestock Producers

Posted: November 1, 2017

The Livestock Tag Reader Rebate Program provides funding to BC livestock producers, for the cost of new hand-held or panel readers, reader installation, related software, and related equipment training, up to 70% of the total costs to a maximum of $3,500 per applicant.

Learn more

WorkSafeBC Announces Preliminary Premium Rates for 2018

Posted: October 2, 2017

WorkSafeBC announced today that the preliminary average base rate for 2018 will be 1.55 percent of employers’ assessable payroll.

Learn more

Canadian Farmers Could Face Huge Tax Hit From New Rules

Posted: August 18, 2017

The reforms, meant to counter tax avoidance by the wealthy, have drawn outrage from doctors and other professionals but will also hit family farm corporations.

Learn more