BCAC

On November 2nd, 2011, the BCAC and a small contingent of BC farmers and ranchers met with Premier Christy Clark in Victoria, BC, to discuss critical areas necessary to bolster the growth and competitiveness of BC agriculture and agri-food enterprises on the local, inter-provincial and international market scenes.

BCAC and producers also met with MLAs and Ministers from the Ministries of Labour, Health, Energy and Mines, Education, and Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations with the intent to identify key areas where industry and government could encourage forward momentum toward a robust agriculture and agri-food industry.

With Canada being recognized as one of six countries capable of feeding the world in the future, there is no question that British Columbia can play a
significant role. The BC agriculture and agri-food sectors have been through some challenging times over the past several years and are currently facing new ones.
Through meetings, different government and industry initiatives were discussed that would enable us to keep food production local and prosperous.

“The key is to be ready,” says Reg Ens, BCAC Executive Director, “and that calls for acting now to continue building strong relationships between agriculture and government, and to recognize that investments in BC agriculture today mean realizing our full potential in the future.”

BCAC Chair, Garnet Etsell, shares the same sentiment.

“When industry and government work together, we can build a thriving environment in which community health, innovation, national and global competitiveness and environmental leadership form the hallmarks of BC agriculture,” says Etsell, “Isn’t food worth it?”

Moving forward, the BCAC will hone its efforts on key agri-food issues in all discussions with stakeholders and government, holding to the vision of growing BC into the most dynamic and robust agricultural province in Canada.