Agriculture and Food
Summary
- The Province is engaging with B.C.’s agricultural and food-processing sector, local governments and First Nations about a proposed change to regulations that aims to create jobs, attract investment and encourage a provincial food supply that is secure, diversified and resilient
- The proposed regulatory change would allow food processors to build food-processing plants on land that is not well suited for primary production, so long as 5% of the primary product used in the processing is grown or raised in the province, while protecting prime farmland in B.C.
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The Province is leading a six-week engagement with B.C.’s agricultural and food-processing industry, local governments and First Nations on a proposal to expand food-processing opportunities in the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) that will help strengthen food security, support farmers and attract new investment.
At a time of significant trade uncertainty with Canada’s neighbours to the south and with global conflicts that are disrupting traditional supply chains, it is more important than ever to strengthen food security in B.C.
Supporting food security, farming and the food economy
The proposal aims to encourage more food processing in the ALR on land that is not well suited for primary production, while protecting prime farmland in B.C. and protecting and strengthening the ALR’s primary purpose of agricultural production.
The proposed regulatory change would allow food processors to build food-processing plants on Class 5-7 soil (and Class 4 if the parcel is serviced by the date this rule is implemented) in the ALR, so long as 5% of the primary product used in the processing is grown or raised in the province.
The discussion paper with more information on the proposed changes is available here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Food_Processing_ALR_Discussion_Paper.pdf
The soil classification condition in this proposal would exclude about 90% of ALR farmland in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, with 500-1,000 hectares expected to be potentially available for food-processing development.
The proposal intends to connect food processing in the ALR with farming in the ALR, creating new markets for farmers and driving more investment back to B.C. growers.
Soil testing and local government support required
Those seeking to build new food-processing facilities would require an assessment from a registered professional agrologist to ensure the soil classification meets the criteria and need to meet building and any other permits from local governments and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and the Ministry of Environment and Parks.
The current regulation allows processing on the ALR (without Agricultural Land Commission approval) if 50% of the ingredients are from the farm in question or from fellow member farms of an industry association and does not consider soil quality as a factor. The 50% rule would remain in place on all other land in the ALR.
Feedback is invited from interested parties until Sept. 3, 2026, by email to AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca.
A backgrounder follows.
