Four B.C. businesses that are developing solutions to help ensure the province’s food systems remain secure, resilient and sustainable are the first to receive funding through the recently launched B.C. Centre for Agritech Innovation (BCCAI).

The B.C. government is planning to build a new Plant and Animal Health Centre to provide diagnostic services that support agricultural producers, food safety and the growth of a resilient food system in the province.

Consumers will more easily identify local B.C. products when shopping at their local Save-On-Foods store with the Buy BC branding featured at the retailer’s 125 locations throughout the province.

Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food, has issued the following statement in support of the B.C. Agriculture Council’s Ag Day:

To help combat the effects of climate change on B.C.’s long-term food security, new funding is helping farmers and ranchers protect their operations by adopting regenerative agriculture practices, improving farms’ drought resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

B.C. farmers and ranchers can reduce their risks from extreme weather through a new pilot program that will help improve farms’ climate-change preparedness and resilience to wildfires, flooding and extreme heat.

More veterinary students from B.C. will be attending the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) on the University of Saskatchewan campus this August, following an investment from the Province to double the number of subsidized seats for the first time in more than a decade.