A perfect storm is threatening the future of B.C.’s farms and ranches

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At first glance, a growing Canada should translate to a growing market for regional agricultural products. But the challenges for farmers and ranchers are many, and the issues are particularly compounded in B.C.

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As our population expands, this creates intense competition around land usage. As municipalities become increasingly built out, political pressure around the long-held provincial Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is intensifying.

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A larger population also means expansion of industrial activity, warehousing, storage needs, processing plants, and the natural resources sector. Our ports and local business infrastructure can only expand so far when limited by available land. On top of that, climate instability is challenging agricultural production. Meanwhile, our country is in the midst of a housing affordability crisis.

Each of these issues is legitimate. Each of these issues is important. And each of these issues is part of a perfect storm that is significantly threatening the future of our farms and ranches.

Regardless of whether our food is supplied locally or imported from elsewhere, as our nation’s population increases, so does demand for the food supply. Currently, we are heavily dependent on food imports to service these needs. Yet these foreign food locales are increasingly experiencing their own climate-related impacts, among other issues.

As we move forward into increasingly uncertain geopolitical times, we also need to take a sober look at the risks associated with dependence on a foreign food supply. From a risk mitigation perspective, ask yourself: What would it look like if there were prolonged shortages of food imports or lengthy supply-chain disruptions?

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In addition to these risks, farmers and ranchers are enduring labour shortages, supply challenges, decreasing agricultural land and taxation increases. When it comes to succession planning, imagine the debt load and uncertainty the next generation of farmers are being asked to accept. It’s at a point where many farms owners are finding a lack of those willing to accept the current level of risk whether they are inheriting farms or new entrants.

We also need to ask ourselves who will own our agricultural land in the future. There are no restrictions around ownership of agricultural land and buyer patterns show major foreign investment in the ALR with land that is being held in speculation for future use. Long story short, as a nation, we need to get our act together to ensure there is enough land to respond to the demands of a growing population.

We need to demonstrate a stronger alliance across the country around these challenges to create an increased sense of urgency for domestic agricultural land. Elected officials need to get beyond outlining issues and start providing clear policy and regulatory frameworks in consultation with farmers.

Danielle Synotte is executive director of the B.C. Agriculture Council.

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