Pam Alexis, Minister of Agriculture and Food, has issued the following statement in support of B.C. Agriculture Day:

“Today, I welcome leaders from B.C.’s farming community to Victoria for a day of sharing and partnership, and recognize all the agricultural producers throughout the province who provide us with food, drinks, flowers and plants.

“BC Ag Day shines a spotlight on the hard work and countless hours farmers and ranchers put in every day to feed and provide for their communities and the province. It is also a day to celebrate the innovation, technology and resilience that we see on B.C. farms, which strengthen our local food systems and support our province’s food security, economy and rural communities.

“Despite the resilience and adaptability of B.C.’s agricultural producers, 2023 has been challenging, primarily due to our changing climate, which included an intense summer of wildfires and drought. This is why we continue to work closely with farmers and have proactively been putting programs and funding in place to help prepare for the adverse effects of future climate events.

“We are investing in things such as increased water storage and better irrigation, infrastructure improvements to protect against extreme weather, and the removal and replanting of crops that are more suitable to a region’s climate. Additionally, our government has supported B.C. ranchers and farmers with advanced payments through AgriStability and an AgriRecovery program that will help with expenses related to drought and wildfire, such as the feeding, sheltering and relocation of their animals.

“Food security is also a priority for our government, which is why we made a historic investment in B.C. agriculture this year so we can provide an increased, stable supply of affordable, local food throughout the province. At the same time, this is helping B.C. farmers become more resilient, more productive and more profitable.

“We are supporting a series of programs that will have a significant effect. This includes programs focusing on Indigenous agriculture and food sovereignty, emergency planning and preparedness, improving supply chains and expanding local food production.

“Our government is going to be with B.C.’s farmers every step of the way as we work together to increase food production and food security in our communities and maintain agriculture as a key economic driver in B.C.

“British Columbians can offer their support by continuing to Buy BC and showing your appreciation to our farmers and food-and-beverage producers, many of whom begin their days before the sun rises, in their tireless efforts to feed B.C.

“Farmers are the backbone of our communities and they are our neighbours. By supporting them, we are helping B.C.’s agriculture sector thrive and succeed now and in the future.”