2


TRESPASS amendment will protect livestock producers The meetings are hosted by


livestock operations among the premises protected from trespass in legislation. Chilliwack-Kent MLA Laurie


Throness jumped in October 28 with a private member’s bill aimed at protecting all forms of agrifood operations and stipulating fines of up to $50,000 on those who contaminate such “food establishments.” “It’s our hope that the


government will take this bill or respond with its own to send a strong preventative message to activists, like that sent by the government of Alberta earlier this month, and that BC will act decisively to protect farmers, processors and animals alike from unlawful trespass,” he told the legislature. Popham, Eby and


Farnworth all said that would happen. “To have our laws reflect


that care and concern that we have for the work that you do is really important,” Eby said. “We’re on your side and we’ve amended the law to make it absolutely clear to everybody.” The bill included “a building or permanent structure designed or used for shelter for livestock,” as well as vehicles and aircraft used for the same, among the premises where trespassing was explicitly prohibited. However, no fines were specified; these will follow in regulations under the act. The bill passed October 29


and received royal assent on Halloween. Dairy farmers were


particularly pleased with the


development. Organizing meetings for


“Dairy is Scary,” a campaign launched by Canadian activist Erin Janus that raised the ire of New Brunswick farmers earlier this year, have been taking place in BC.


Direct Action Everywhere, a six-year-old animal rights group founded in San Francisco. It was planning protests during the BC Dairy Conference in Vancouver, November 27-28. Fraser Valley


COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • DECEMBER 2019 nfrom page 1


farm families fear they could be next.


"Our association takes the issue of trespassing seriously,” BC Dairy Association general manager Jeremy Dunn said in response to the amended Trespass Act. “We are glad to


RALLY challenges ALR legislation


agriculture critic told the rally. The consultation last year included formal and informal discussions. The formal meetings were invitation-only, closed-door meetings with stakeholders. Other meetings took place informally at meetings such as the annual conference of the Certified Organic Associations of BC in Abbotsford. Online feedback was also received, resulting in 2,600 responses. But speakers at the rally noted that just 300 of those responses were in favour of the kinds of changes eventually proposed in Bill 52, which addressed activities within the ALR, including residential construction, and Bill 15, which addressed the workings of the Agricultural Land Commission. The changes, which take a farming-first approach to assessing activities within the ALR, have resulted in several non-conforming activities, or conditional uses, such as a women’s recovery house on a farm property home to the Fraser Valley Gleaners Society in Abbotsford being asked to relocate. Several agritourism proposals have come under


greater scrutiny or been forced to shut down. “It’s you folks with small- scale farms that need the opportunity to be able to grow on your farm, to be able to set up an eatery on the side of the road,” Paton said, referring to the closure of a restaurant at the Rusted Rake property in Nanoose Bay. Rusted Rake co-owner


Jodie Lucas told the rally 15 people lost their jobs as a result of the ALC telling her to focus on growing food, not serving it.


A petition with 27,000 names on it was delivered to the legislature later in the day, and served as the pretext for Paton to ask Popham in question period: “Will you repeal Bill 52?” Popham defended the


legislation, however, and argued that people are misinformed regarding the changes. She also said the real mess had been caused when the BC Liberals were in power. “Unfortunately, we're doing cleanup for the mess that the opposition made when they were in government,” said Popham.


Questioning from Paton


and Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell saw Popham tout the growth of the province’s agrifood sector to more than $15 billion in revenues and the hiring of extension workers to ensure farmers have the resources they need. She also noted that 30 non-farm uses had been approved for the ALR since April, including “a poultry barn, cleaning business, animal rehab facility, a home- based mechanic shop, a welding shop … a community library, a fire hall, recreational facility and elementary school fields.”


But there was no direct


answer to whether or not Bill 52 would be repealed, something the BC Liberals have pledged to do if they form government.


Conciliatory


Paton struck a more conciliatory note later in the day, when the BC Agriculture Council formally kicked off its lobbying activities with a reception that brought together representatives of farm groups with cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior government officials and


see our government recognizes the importance of protecting our food system, and has committed to ensuring safe working environments for farming families, their employees and their animals.”


nfrom page 1


other key stakeholders. “We don’t always get along and see eye to eye on everything,” he said. “There’s so much to agriculture to grasp [but] Lana, I think we’re doing a good job.” A key focus of the annual meetings is to make elected representatives aware of the positive impact agriculture has in the province, and find ways government can support its activities. Besides Popham, attorney general David Eby and solicitor general Mike Farnworth attended the reception to pledge support for new anti-trespass legislation. BC labour minister Harry Bains also attended in advance of meetings with industry the next day. He told Country Life in BC that a review of piece rates remains ongoing, but no decisions have been taken. Popham, for her part, said cabinet was working for the good of agriculture. “My commitment to you is


to keep working with you, as I have as far as any issues that come up. My door is always open,” she said. “My ministry is going to help you succeed.”


CORRECTION: In our story, Falkland Dairy volume buyer at


Holstein Sale, on page 31 in the November edition, Silverdale Farm Ltd. of Westwold was the buyer of the second highest seller at the sale. We sincerely apologize for the error.


Wishing all our customers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year


from our family at GD Repair


GD Repair Ltd


Bus. 604/807-2391 Fax. 604/854-6708 email: sales@tractorparts4sale.ca www.tractorparts4sale.ca


ABBOTSFORD, BC


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