The invasion of an Abbotsford hog farm by protestors shortly after dawn on April 28 was the culmination of days of rumours that such an incident was in the works. Fraser Valley livestock producers were on alert, and police in Abbotsford were aware of the rumours, but there was no solid evidence until protestors arrived …
Province releases ALC/ALR report
The province has released the final report of the committee appointed to recommend ways to revitalize the Agricultural Land Commission, nearly five months after it was submitted. The report makes 32 recommendations and concludes by encouraging an “agriculture first” approach to managing the Agricultural Land Reserve. Dated December 4, the province released it April 30. …
Children can keep helping
Children can continue to help on their family’s farm, even as the province moves to bar youth under the age of 16 from dangerous occupations. “We are moving the minimum age from 12 years to 16 years,” BC labour minister Harry Bains said April 29, announcing a host of amendments to the Employment Standards Act. …
Caribou recovery plan has ranchers worried
KAMLOOPS – The province has drafted two agreements to conserve the southern mountain caribou, and ranchers are among the groups weighing in as part of a public consultation that runs until May 31. The agreements include one with the federal government outlining how it will work with the province to conserve the caribou, which range the …
Global rhubarb glut hits home for BC growers
CHILLIWACK – The first crop Shoker Farms harvests each spring is rhubarb, a staple of backyard gardeners across the country. Commercial bakers buy the tangy stalks diced and frozen for pie, muffins and other products. But this winter, Quebec-based Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods Inc. in Abbotsford found itself with a million pounds of frozen rhubarb …
Greenhouse growers see rebound in acreage
SURREY – When an Enbridge pipeline that serves as a key source of natural gas to the Lower Mainland exploded near Prince George on October 9, greenhouse growers faced their worst energy crisis in more than a decade. Natural gas prices were expected to hit $95 per gigajoule last fall, several times the peak of $13.50 …