Farmers beginning operations in British Columbia are getting help to plan and grow their agricultural businesses so they can succeed and offer B.C. families fresh and local food.

B.C. berry, wine grape and tree fruit producers will receive more support to replant their farms, vineyards and orchards with climate-resilient fruit that will increase regional food supply, grow the economy and ensure people in British Columbia continue to enjoy fresh, local fruit and wine.

Government  is building a new plant and animal health centre to keep people safe by stopping diseases such as avian flu before they spread, protecting British Columbia’s food, farmers, animals and communities.

Farmers in British Columbia will receive support to better protect their farms and animals from extreme weather through the Beneficial Management Practices program.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, has released the following statement about provincial meat inspectors being classified as essential workers:

The Balakshin family is being recognized for more than 100 years of family farming south of the Fraser River and their contributions to B.C.’s agriculture community.

Food and beverage producers and processors in British Columbia are getting help to increase sales and build export markets so the province has a more resilient and diverse economy in the future.

Approximately 75 poultry farms in the Fraser Valley will be upgrading their barns to reduce the risk of avian influenza and to support the supply of B.C. eggs and chicken that families throughout the province depend on as a trusted source of protein.

The governments of B.C. and Canada are making changes to the AgriStability program to provide more financial support to B.C. farmers, following a virtual meeting of the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture.