New regulations under the Agricultural Land Commission Act will encourage farming and help B.C.'s agricultural community fill the growing demand for B.C. food, locally and around the world, Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick announced.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia have invested more than $4.3 million to support business development, innovation, food safety, and sustainability in B.C.'s agriculture sector.

Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick and the B.C. delegation have returned home after completing a successful trade mission to China. The tour included several deals that could increase B.C.'s agrifood exports by about $100 million within a few years.

After 48 sitting days, representing an estimated 330 hours of debate, government has delivered a successful legislative session that supports throne speech promises to control spending, open new markets and attract new investment, improve infrastructure, protect our environment and modernize B.C.'s laws.

Bill Bennett, Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Core Review and Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, on behalf of Pat Pimm, Minister of Agriculture, announced improvements to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) that will protect farmland in British Columbia and maintain the ALC's independence.

Ecologically sensitive lands on Denman Island are being further protected with the establishment of a new park and two new protected areas.