Farmers can use ALR land for breweries, wineries under new regulations

“This is an opportunity for farmers to stay on their land and mentor the next generation of farmers.

NORM LETNICK

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

New government regulations will make it easier for farmers to add or enlarge processing facilities on agricultural land and to establish breweries, distilleries and meaderies under terms similar to wineries.

Changes to the Agricultural Land Commission Act will allow farmers to process, cook, freeze and pack their crops on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve provided that at least 50 per cent of the farm products are grown on the farm or are supplied by a co-operative of farmers.

Allowing one farm to host processing for local co-operative groups will encourage farmers to pool their resources and increase production while minimizing the footprint required for processing, said agriculture minister Norm Letnick.

Farm-based meaderies, breweries and distilleries on ALR land must grow 50 per cent of the farm products used in the production of their beverages, under the new regulations. The ministry is also exploring regulations that would allow farmbased lounges and restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages not produced on their premises, a move that will require changes to the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, said Letnick.

Additionally, landowners will now be able to lease out land in the ALR for farming without an application to the commission.

A second set of changes is intended to support farm succession in Zone 2 of the ALR, which includes the Interior, Kootenays and the North. Retiring farmers may continue to live on their family farms of at least five hectares after they have sold it, by leasing back the farmhouse. The lease terminates when the retiring farmer leaves or dies.

“This is an opportunity for farmers to stay on their land and mentor the next generation of farmers,” said Letnick.

On farms of at least 50 hectares in the ALR, a second residence can be built for family or rental income. The total area used for residential purposes cannot exceed 0.4 hectares.

“I sincerely hope this will help farmers grow their business, help young farmers get into the business, allow farmers to earn a better living, and continue to protect agricultural land,” said Letnick.

“B.C. farmers have been calling for the modernization of the Agriculture Land Commission Act for some time,” said B.C. Agriculture Council chairman Stan Vander Waal. He welcomed new “farm business opportunities” and a commitment to the ALC to protect farmland.

The new regulations come after a year of consultation with farmers, processors and local governments, as well as the sudden firing of ALC chairman Richard Bullock in May. Bullock had come into conflict with former agriculture minister Pat Pimm and energy minister Bill Bennett over the decision to divide the ALR into zones and the independence of his office to protect farmland.

Letnick defended replacing Bullock with former Saanich mayor Frank Leonard as a necessary change in leadership, in light of changes to the way the commission does business.

The ALC will also be hiring a new CEO, a job that falls to the chairman, Letnick said.