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Country Life in BC 36 Dale Road Enderby, BC V0E 1V4


Vol. 105 No. 7


CANADA POST


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POULTRY ALR


FIRB sides with K&M on annualized production Farmers institute members discuss ALR changes


RANCHING Clifton Ranch aims for better beef, habitat


10 14 23


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The agricultural news source in British Columbia since 1915 JULY 2019 | Vol. 105 No.7


Province blinks


on ALR Small-lot farmers fight back


by PETER MITHAM


VICTORIA—Growing criticism of the province’s efforts to tighten protection of the province’s Agricultural Land Reserve is prompting the province to backtrack on some of the new regulations. A late-night bulletin the BC


Over 250 school children from five local schools attended an education day at Hutley Acres Farm in Spallumcheen on June 7 to learn about dairy farming, how chickens are raised, milk an imitation cow and even pet a real cow. The event preceded the fifth annual Breakfast on the Farm where close to 900 people enjoyed breakfast, farm tours and activities. [JACKIE PEARASE PHOTO]


Growing more with less water Berry grower hit with fines


by PETER MITHAM PITT MEADOWS—May was


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not kind to Golden Eagle Group, the province’s largest berry farmer with approximately 5,000 acres of blueberries and cranberries in Pitt Meadows. The company, owned by


the Aquilini family of Vancouver, was fined $53,690 in October 2018 regarding a bus deemed as presenting a “high risk of serious injury or death” to workers. The bus had several mechanical problems, primarily relating to


the braking system. However, other issues were also identified relating to the air bag system, headlights and rear battery. Golden Eagle appealed the


fine, but a review by WorkSafeBC upheld the penalty. The safety of vehicles used to transport workers has been a priority since the death of three workers in a crash near Abbotsford in March 2007. An inter-agency committee was formed in December 2007 by the provincial ministries of labour, transportation and


agriculture as well as WorkSafeBC and the BC Agriculture Council to address vehicle safety. In 2018, WorkSfeBC


inspected 121 vehicles and issued 175 orders. Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement inspected 133 vehicles and 20 failed to pass muster. The previous year, WorkSafeBC inspected 128 vehicles and issued 131 orders. CVSE inspected 111 vehicles and 24 failed to pass. WorkSafeBC’s decision


See WAGE next page o


Ministry of Agriculture posted on June 18 indicates that rules governing second homes in the ALR would allow a grandfathering period. “As the Province has continued to work on regulations to support Bill 52, the BC government has been listening to local governments and people


See DETAILS on next page o


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