09fall.qxd 9/18/09 11:36 AM Page 7
r
as possible.
esources are being used as efficiently
Winnipeg centre.
how many will transfer from the
on continuation of a replant program
Thomson would not commit himself
very complex because there’s a very
The agriculture portfolio in B.C. is because he said that’s tied into fiscal
diverse farming economy in this
AgriStability program, when it
The first couple of the years of the
factors.
province. There are small operations
replaced the Canadian Agriculture
a
Income Stability program, were the programs for industry,” he said.
“We have to look at it in terms of all
r
nd large ones, and they provide a
meat to horticulture.
ange of products, from grains and i
d
understanding of how that sector of
n part because of a complete lack of
evastating for the tree fruit industry,
section off a bigger slice of the
He was not optimistic that he can
provincial budget pie for agriculture at
Canada for its agricultural diversity,
In fact, B.C. is probably unique in agriculture works by staff at the main present, but said he wants to work
which makes it extremely challenging
office in Winnipeg. with industry to position it for the
to balance the many different
future.
interests—and there’s seldom a one-
don’t even produce a crop for the first
Growing perennials like trees, which
size-fits-all solution to a problem.
few years, is entirely different from
something like grains, which have to
sales tax and the federal goods and
Harmonization of the provincial
services tax could result in an
includes more than just agriculture.
As well, Thomson’s portfolio be planted and harvested each year. estimated savings of $15 to $16 million
Aquaculture, food processing and
to the B.C. agriculture industry, said
lands are also part of his new
effectively deliver the program,”
“That will be a big help to more
Thomson, with not only a decrease in
responsibilities, and he says he has lots
commented Thomson. the cost of doing business, but also less
to learn about that side of the ministry. insurance to remain as it is. Industry
He also expects production paperwork.
achieve, including the use of waste
He does have some goals he’d like to wants it to remain affordable, he Thomson was well-received by those in
The premier’s appointment of
energy and possible opportunities for
noted, and it will remain a core part of the agriculture industry, with BCFGA
farms in earning carbon offsets.
the program. president Joe Sardinha commenting
he might just be the best-qualified
at the end of July, Thomson
Along with the federal government, wants to increase agriculture’s profile
Thomson said the ministry also
minister the province has ever had.
announced a continuation of the
with the public with a branding “It’s quite an honour for a newcomer
popular Environmental Farm Plan
program, but cost is an issue. Elements to the legislature to be named
program, and he said there won’t be
are already in place, including the
any major changes to it.
school snack program using local
agriculture minister,” he added.
produce, the farmer’s market program
moving the AgriStability program from
Previous ministers had committed to and the restaurant industry’s Eat B.C.
group.”
“He’s worked with every commodity
Winnipeg to B.C., and beginning in the
program. would be difficult for the new minister
However, Sardinha admitted it
new year, this province’s farmers will
have an office in Kelowna where they
umbrella, Thomson believes.
All of it should be under a single to balance all the different interests
when it comes to the provincial
can discuss problems with staff—who
are expected to be more familiar with
including rural/urban interface issues
Other matters he is working on budget.
local issues.
and access to affordable water for the
agriculture industry, as well as
Thomson will be able to convince his
That’s not to say he wasn’t hopeful
staff would be hired here in B.C. and
Thomson wasn’t sure how many new regulatory issues with local
cabinet colleagues to increase the
government.
provincial budget allocation to
agriculture, despite the lean times.
What a bunch
of bananas –
Costa Rica grows
50,000 ha of this
favourite fruit every year.
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British Columbia FRUIT GROWER
8/13/09 2:11:47 PM
• Fall 2009
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