Aug. 9, 2005
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
· The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is the largest it has ever been in its history, with more than 4.76 million hectares set aside for farming. B.C. has preserved five per cent of its total land base within the ALR, so our best agricultural lands will remain stable and secure for future food production.
· Since 2001, the Province has added more land to the ALR, removed less and increased the total by 40,000 hectares.
· Since 2001, in the South Coast region, 519.7 hectares have been excluded from the ALR. Another 416.8 hectares have been rejected and 35.9 hectares have been added.
· There are more than 20,000 farms, 900 food processors, 8,100 food service establishments and 2,700 agriculture retail stores in B.C. Almost half of the farms are in the flat, fertile Fraser River Valley.
· The Agricultural Land Commission administers the ALR as an independent, arm’s-length agency. In 2002, government enhanced the regional panel structure of the ALC to better balance provincial interests with community needs so that communities have greater input in local decisions.
· B.C. leads Canada’s western provinces in the growth of international agriculture and food exports, with sales of more than $2 billion each year since 1998.
· For a complete list of all inclusions and exclusions within the Agricultural Land Reserve since 1974, visit: www.alc.gov.bc.ca/alr/stats/A1_incl-excl_allyears_d.htm.
Media contact:
Liz Bicknell
Communications Director
Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Phone: 250 356-2862
Visit the Province's website at www.gov.bc.ca for online information and services.
