The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries has a dedicated team of staff working closely with the B.C. ranching and livestock industry during emergencies like drought and wildfires.

Farmers on Vancouver Island and the Southern Gulf Islands will have more support to adapt to climate change following the development of the Vancouver Island Adaptation Strategies plan.

The Ministry of Agriculture brought the classroom to the field by offering farmers and ranchers around the province the opportunity to attend a variety of agriculture-related learning events with support from the governments of Canada and British Columbia. 

New regional adaptation strategies are being developed to help Kootenay and Boundary agricultural producers prepare for climate change.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia announced changes to the AgriInsurance - Production Insurance program that will help B.C. tree-fruit growers manage the risk of crop losses by hail, spring frost, excessive rain, flooding, drought and wind. 

B.C. Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick issued the following statement, about the Government of Canada's decision to grant tax deferrals to B.C livestock producers in regions affected by drought.

Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and British Columbia Minister of Agriculture Don McRae today announced up to $5 million for two new AgriRecovery initiatives to help B.C. vegetable, cattle and bison producers recover from the damage caused by extreme weather in 2010 and into the spring of 2011.