Despite the global economic challenges governments are facing today and the impact that financial uncertainty has on a trading province like British Columbia, Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick says Budget 2013 reaffirms government’s support for agriculture.
His ministry’s 2013/14 operating budget of $79.3 million is about a 20 per cent increase over last year, he explains.
“Our role as government is to create an environment in B.C. where agrifoods producers succeed.”
The increased funding builds on the B.C. government’s Agrifoods Strategy, which Letnick adds is a “roadmap” to the sector becoming a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017.
“One of the main commitments in our Agrifoods Strategy is to provide a sustainable land base for production. By protecting B.C.’s farmland, we’re ensuring the farmers and families who grow our food will continue to share their passion and knowledge with the next generation.”
One of the budget elements he finds “most rewarding” is an additional $4 million the government is providing to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) over the next three years, Letnick says.
“The boost in funds results in the ALC receiving almost $3 million in operating funding from the B.C. government this year … to help the Agricultural Land Commission become a stronger organization, and transition to a more self-supporting operating model.”
ALC chair Richard Bullock says the new funding will result in increased compliance and enforcement activities, continued boundary reviews, digital conversion and mapping projects.
Letnick adds other budget elements of benefit to the agriculture sector include changes to the Property Transfer Tax Act that support farm succession.
The budget provides carbon tax relief to the agrifoods industry, a sector that supports 61,000 jobs in B.C., he explains.
“In addition, we intend to introduce legislation this fall to provide a carbon tax exemption for farmers for motor fuels used in on-farm equipment such as tractors, and fuel used on-highway in eligible farm vehicles.
“This is something producers raised that we listened to, and acted on. Together with the carbon tax relief, these measures will result in B.C. farmers being about $11 million more competitive a year.”
