Issues:

  • Agricultural expansion is limited by the availability of affordable arable Crown land, irrigation water and range lands.
  • Current ranching and agri-tourism operations require access to productive Crown range to remain viable.
  • Increasing competition for and conflict over Crown resources from other types of use and development.
  • Loss to livestock due to predator/livestock interactions.

Goals:

  • A sustainable and economically viable agriculture industry with access to water, land and range resources for expansion
  • A diversified mix of agricultural product marketed provincially, nationally and internationally
ObjectivesManagement Direction/StrategiesMeasures of Success/TargetsIntent
1. Enhance access to Crown Land to support the expansion and diversification of a sustainable agriculture industry1.1 Alienation of Crown land for agriculture use must be done in an integrated manner with meaningful consideration of other valuesCrown land available for agricultural use High value agricultural Crown land within the ALR Initiation of a viticulture capability study by 2006 Diversity of organic productsExpansion and diversification could include vegetable production, ginseng, herbs, grape and tree fruit production, fallow deer ranching, agritourism. Continue to allow Crown lands with suitable agricultural potential, to be alienated for agricultural use.
1.2 Encourage industry diversification/integration opportunities where applicable (e.g., Agri-Tourism, Woodlot Program)
1.3 Applications for Crown land alienation that may result from a process that identifies potential expansion areas should be labelled as “identified opportunities.”
1.4 Encourage First Nations’ pursuit of expanded and diversified agriculture opportunities
2. Maintain or enhance the productivity of agricultural lands by retaining existing water rights for irrigation and by identifying new sources of irrigation water2.1 Ensure that watershed developments and various water management planning processes recognize the need for consistent and sustainable flows of irrigation water for the agriculture sectorIncreased productivity of agricultural lands New sources of irrigation water identified
2.2 Through comprehensive water availability studies and watershed planning processes, determine the potential for new irrigation water supplies where expansion of the irrigated land base is possible on private and identified Crown lands having arable potential
2.3 Ensure that further water licensing meaningfully considers other aquatic resources, including fish and wildlife, as well as domestic, community and First Nations use
3. Minimize livestock/predator interactionsReduced livestock losses due to predators
4, Minimize agricultural conflicts that may result from adjacent land uses such as community activities expansion, industrial activities, wildlife or recreational activities4.1 Encourage implementation of the Farm Practices Protection Act legislation as needed
4.2 Form partnerships between the agriculture industry and fish and wildlife managers that will provide mutual benefits for parties involved (e.g., riparian management, habitat enhancement, etc.)