Two new independent commissioners are being sought by the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission in order to boost decision-making capacity while limiting the perception of bias in commission decisions. A notice from the commission encourages candidates with previous experience as directors and the demonstrated skills needed to contribute to decision-making and oversight to apply. Candidates should …
Catastrophic flooding hits Fraser Valley
The flood waters are receding but the toll of what the province has dubbed “the worst weather storm in a century” is rising, with Abbotsford pointing to heavy losses of livestock on Sumas Prairie. “I saw barns half-full of water,” Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun said on Wednesday morning, following a flyover of the area on …
Cedar Valley licence reinstated
An investigation by the BC Milk Marketing Board of Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford has resulted in the reinstatement of the farm’s production licence with several conditions. The licence was suspended October 27 following allegations that workers at the farm had abused animals, claims supported by video footage provided to the BC SPCA and subsequently …
Tree fruits set for shakeup
The province released 19 recommendations last week that outline a vision for stabilizing BC’s troubled tree fruit sector, the culmination of a nine-month process launched in February at the annual convention of the BC Fruit Growers Association. “BCFGA is supportive and observe that the government recommendations have taken account of difficult times in the apple sector …
Cedar Valley footage released
Video footage that triggered an investigation of Cedar Valley Farms in Abbotsford two weeks ago has been released. Toronto-based activist group Animal Justice Canada posted the footage with a call for greater regulation of livestock operations, including the installation of surveillance cameras on farms. It notes that organic farms are no better than conventional systems …
Mink farmers challenge ban
Canada’s mink farmers plan to challenge BC’s bid to shut down the sector. An announcement November 5 outlined a three-step process under an order issued by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry that begins with a ban on mink breeding effective immediately, followed by a ban on live mink on farms by April 2023 and …