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His ag roots run deep


Future of Agricultural Land Reserve is among the top priorities for Ben Stewart in his latest cabinet role.


By Judie Steeves T


he province’s new agriculture minister has been in agriculture most of his life, so he won’t have a steep learning curve on issues affecting farming in general, although the diversity of the portfolio may present some challenges.


Westside-Kelowna MLA Ben Stewart says that when he was asked to take over the ministry from Kelowna- Mission MLA Steve Thomson, the premier wanted some specific goals achieved.


For instance, the modernizing of the Agricultural Land Reserve and Commission, as the result of a review just completed by new chair Richard Bullock.


Stewart says he has now received the final draft, but will take some time to review it in detail, then share it with his cabinet colleagues for their feedback before making it publicly available.


“The issues around the ALR are complex and varied, which resulted in a very extensive review, based on input from a broad range of stakeholders from every region of the province,” noted Stewart.


He said he doesn’t have a firm timeline, but added, “I place a great deal of importance on this review. It is not something we want to rush, as this is the first time in several years there has been a significant review of the ALC and the ALR,” he said. Agriculture is the third cabinet post Stewart has held since being elected in 2009. His previous portfolios were Minister of Community and Rural Development and Minister of Citizens’ Services.


Stewart said growing value-added agriculture is a goal for his ministry,


Ben Stewart has taken over the agriculture portfolio from fellow Central Okanagan MLA Steve Thomson.


because of higher land costs in much of B.C., which make it necessary that farmers get a greater return on their investment than in competing jurisdictions.


He believes there are opportunities for expansion of the uses of agricultural land to that end. With 900 applications a year to the ALC, he said he doesn’t believe it


AGRICULTURAL NETS & FABRICS


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250.494.1099 British Columbia Berry Grower • Spring 2011 15


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