BC Agriculture Council Welcomes New Ag Minister
Abbotsford, BC ‐ The BC Agriculture Council (BCAC) is delighted with yesterday’s appointment by Premier Gordon Campbell of Steve Thomson to the position of Minister of Agriculture and Lands. Thomson is the former BCAC Executive Director, and has an extensive understanding of the wide‐ranging and complex issues facing farmers and ranchers from across the province.
“This appointment demonstrates to us that the Premier recognizes the essential role that agriculture plays in the BC economy, and that there are significant challenges facing our sector that need to be addressed,” said BCAC chair and Abbotsford‐area turkey producer, Garnet Etsell.
The Council also expressed its pleasure with the appointment of Parliamentary Secretary for the Ranching Task Force, Terry Lake. The BC cattle sector has been in a brutal downturn for the past six years, and it is critical that the Task Force identifies initiatives that will revitalize this important industry.
Across British Columbia, over 60,000 people are employed by the primary agriculture and processing sectors. Farm gate sales total $2.3 billion and food processing accounts for $6.6 billion in revenue. "BC farmers and ranchers recognize the fiscal and economic challenges facing the Province,” noted Etsell, “but we know we will be able to work collaboratively with the new Minister to make agriculture an even greater contributor to BC’s economic, environmental, and social fabric.”
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For more information contact:
- Garnet Etsell, Chair
- 778 808‐5691
- Andy Dolberg, Executive Director
- 250 388‐5453
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