Allowing more Food Processing in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR): On July 23rd, the Ministry of Agriculture & Food announced a six-week consultation process and released a Discussion Paper on proposals to provide more opportunities for food processing facilities in the ALR. If the Ministry proceeds with regulatory changes to allow food processing plants in the ALR, there would still be several limitations. 

• First, food processing plants would only be allowed to be built “... on land that is not well suited for primary production ...”.  This means Class 4 to 7 soils, “... with Class 4 only being considered if the lot is accessible by road and easily connected to existing water, sewage and electricity services at the time ...,” the “... regulation comes into force.” This “... would exclude about 90% of ALR farmland in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, with 500-1,000 hectares expected to be potentially available for food-processing development.” Further, registered professional agrologists would need to assess proposed sites for food processing in the ALR, “... to ensure the soil classification meets the criteria ...”. 

Second, the Government would institute a cap on the total amount of land that could be used for food processing - “... no more than 0.25% of the 2.1 million hectares of privately owned ALR land.” 

Third, the Ministry would be demanding that a minimum of “... 5% of the primary product used in the processing ...,” in these facilities be “... grown or raised in the province.”  

Finally, proponents “... would still need to apply for building permits from local governments,” and potentially permits from the Ministry of Ministry of Environment & Parks as well as the Ministry of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship. 

If you have any comments regarding the proposals, please send them to AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca by September 3rd.