Part B: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Performance Measures
The Ministry’s service plan is organized around its three long-term goals.
- Agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, and Crown land-use contribute positively to the economic well-being of the province.
- World-leading environmental stewardship in Crown land management, agriculture aquaculture and food sector practices.
- Socially responsible management of land and water resources.
Goal 1: Agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, and Crown land-use contribute positively to the economic well-being of the province
Long-term prosperity for British Columbia’s agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors is only possible if they are profitable,
sustainable and support public health and environmental goals. This goal also recognizes the benefits of promoting healthy
local food in support of overall societal well-being.
Crown land is a strategic resource that British Columbians increasingly expect to be utilized in a manner that best responds to current and emerging needs. More than ever, initiatives to promote economic opportunity are evaluated based on their ability to deliver a broad range of economic, social and environmental benefits in an efficient manner.
Objective 1.1: Strategic growth of the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors
British Columbia relies on businesses that work within a global economy to provide jobs, revenues and a range of other benefits. Provincial policies are broadly intended to lever investment into strategic areas of opportunity. The Ministry promotes sector profitability and self-reliance through programs and services that improve market access, foster innovation and efficiency across the value chain and provide farmers with the tools they need to sustain their businesses in the face of environmental and market risk.
Strategies
- Promote, deliver and improve national risk management programs and services.
- Facilitate industry transformation to new market opportunities through investment in innovation, promotion and market development.
Performance Measure 1: Ratio of Ministry expenditures on investment versus income stabilization
| Performance Measure | 2007/08 Baseline | 2008/09 Target | 2009/10 Target | 2010/11 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratio of Ministry expenditures on investment versus income stabilization. | 40:60 | 45:55 | 50:50 | 55:45 |
| Data Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. |
Discussion
This indicator will measure success in contributing to sectoral transformation. Investing in the innovation and development of new market opportunities is critical to the future success of the agri-food sector in British Columbia. Continued industry reliance on income stabilization programs will not achieve the goal of strategic growth. The intent of this measure is to find ways to increase investments as opposed to reducing existing income stabilization program support — such as the recent change in the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program to two new programs, one for investment and one for stabilization — within existing budget allocations.
Objective 1.2: Animal, fish, plant and human health are safeguarded
The Ministry focuses its services and initiatives to support British Columbia in continuing to be recognized as a producer
of safe food and agricultural products, and supports producers in the development of healthy nutritious food.
Effective management of food safety, plant, livestock and fish health risks throughout the value chain contribute to positive public health and environmental outcomes and are critical to maintaining consumer confidence and the economic well-being of the province. The Ministry works with industry and other government agencies to develop and maintain a co-ordinated and effective framework for preventing, containing and eliminating disease outbreaks and threats. A new facility in Abbotsford will enable the Province to respond faster and more efficiently; the provincial Containment Level 3 lab is slated for completion in May 2008.
As lead for the co-ordination of provincial priorities, initiatives and action plans to eradicate and contain invasive plants, the Ministry provides support to partner ministries and co-ordinates the planning and administration of an invasive plant program on Crown land to effectively mitigate their impact.
Strategies
- Implement and deliver comprehensive provincial-level programs for animal, fish and plant health which support national objectives to manage risks of disease and invasive species.
- Enable sector to contribute to government’s priority for healthy British Columbians and capitalize on new market opportunities.
- Continue to work with industry groups to identify and implement bio-security strategies that will reduce the risk of foreign animal disease incursions and outbreaks.
Performance Measure 2: Compliance with fish health management plans
| Performance Measure | 2007/08 Actual | 2008/09 Target | 2009/10 Target | 2010/11 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance with fish health management plans. | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Data Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. |
Discussion
The Ministry undertakes random audits of all fish farms annually to ensure compliance with each fish health management plan. All finfish aquaculture farms are required to have an approved fish health management plan in place as a condition of their licence. The plan outlines the procedures that finfish operators must use at their facilities to reduce the risk of the disease in fish and prevent the spread of disease, including key controls for bio-security and reporting of fish health events. In 2006, the Ministry released its first annual fish health report — no other fish farming jurisdiction in North America has ever provided such a comprehensive public report.
Objective 1.3: Crown land dispositions that support government’s strategic objectives and provide the greatest economic, social and environmental benefits
In the case of large scale or more complex Crown land disposition projects, the Ministry adopts collaborative planning and problem-solving techniques, working together with First Nations, local governments and other stakeholders to identify development opportunities that are socially, economically and environmentally sound. Crown land access is utilized as a strategic tool to leverage investment and promote development that contributes to the long-term economic prosperity of the province.
Strategies
- Provide leadership in identifying how B.C.’s Crown land can best be used to respond to current and emerging needs, and how the development and marketing of significant Crown land can support broader government objectives.
- Respond to specific requests, derived externally from the Province, for Crown land in relation to major development proposals, ensuring that the social, economic and environmental benefits are optimized.
- Develop Crown land inventory tools and products to align the availability of land with the demand from local government, First Nations, communities and other stakeholders.
- Co-ordinate with local government, First Nations and provincial ministries regarding use of Crown land that creates mutually sustained benefits.
Goal 2: World-leading environmental stewardship in Crown land management, agriculture, aquaculture and food practices
High-quality environmental stewardship is a public expectation and essential if British Columbia is to achieve a sustainable flow of benefits from its limited agricultural land base and diverse Crown land base.
Objective 2.1: Effective management of
environmental risks
Responsible production and environmental protection are fundamental to B.C.’s agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors in maintaining long-term sustainability.
The Ministry plays a significant role in engaging and supporting the sectors to continue to adopt world-leading practices that will sustain the environment.
The Ministry’s aquaculture licensing and compliance program and information services are critical to reducing environmental risks.
Strategies
- Identify and address critical agricultural environmental issues (e.g., nutrient management, environmental farm planning, etc.).
- Continue audit of compliance and enforcement in the aquaculture sector to ensure operators are accountable for implementing environmentally sustainable practices.
Performance Measure 3: Industry compliance with aquaculture licensing and regulatory requirements
| Performance Measure | 2007/08 Actual | 2008/09 Target | 2009/10 Target | 2010/11 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry compliance with aquaculture licensing and regulatory requirements. | 94%1 | 97%1 | 100% | 100% |
| Data Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. |
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| 1 | Non-compliance, due to the need for administrative improvements, does not cause any significant risk to the environment. Future improvements in record-keeping should bring compliance rate to 100% in 2009/10. |
Discussion
The intent of licensing and regulatory requirements is to ensure that finfish aquaculture operators are demonstrating accountability in implementing environmentally sustainable practices, which includes the prevention of finfish escapes to the environment. This measure provides an indication of the industry-wide compliance with the Ministry’s aquaculture licensing and regulatory requirements based on a calendar year inspection cycle.
Objective 2.2: Risks created by the historical use of land are managed to minimize risks to human health and the environment and facilitate the restoration of land
The Ministry has lead responsibility for fostering a cross government provincial approach to protect the public through remediation of contaminated sites on Crown land that pose a risk to human health and the environment. Identification and remediation of contaminated sites is undertaken using a risk-based approach that considers potential health and environmental impacts and the potential benefits associated with the future use of remediated lands. The Ministry also has a responsibility to facilitate redevelopment of brownfields on both Crown and private land to return valuable land resources to the economy.
Strategies
- Remediate Crown contaminated sites that are the responsibility of the Province to protect human health and the environment.
- Identify opportunities to restore derelict, underutilized or contaminated sites back into productive use.
- Remediate program sites utilizing partnerships to leverage expertise, innovation and financing.
- Work with other provincial ministries and agencies to deliver reliable, relevant, accurate and transparent reports on contaminated sites management.
Performance Measure 4: Number of program sites for which remediation is underway/completed
| Performance Measure | 2007/08 Actual | 2008/09 Target | 2009/10 Target | 2010/11 Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of program sites for which remediation is underway/completed1, 2, 3 | 48 underway/ completed4 | 56 underway/ completed | 66 underway/ completed | 76 underway/ completed |
| Data Source: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. |
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| 1 | Since last year’s Service Plan this performance measure changed, from number of priority sites to number of program sites, to more fully represent all the activities of the Crown Contaminated Sites program. |
| 2 | These program sites fall into one of five categories: |
| 1. Remediated — sites where clean-up activities are completed; | |
| 2. Priority — sites that have been identified for current action based on site investigation and confirmed risk to human health and the environment; | |
| 3. Candidate — sites on which initial investigation has begun to determine the extent of risk; | |
| 4. Monitor — sites where preliminary investigation has been completed and which merit monitoring and possibly additional testing in different field conditions to determine the extent of risk; and | |
| 5. Other — sites that are being managed by the Province to fulfill obligations established under legal agreements, regulatory orders or other commitments. | |
| 3 | Program sites do not currently include pilot project of remediation of four brownfield sites. |
| 4 | As at Dec. 31, 2007: two completed and 46 underway. |
Discussion
All contaminated sites identified by the Province are prioritized based on anticipated risks to human health and the environment. This indicator provides a measure of progress in remediating these program sites. Remediation, as defined by the Environmental Management Act, includes site investigations in addition to clean-up activities and the preceding investigation work. As site remediation can be a multi-year exercise, all numbers contained in this measure are cumulative.
Goal 3: Socially responsible management of land and water resources
Agricultural (private and Crown) land and water are strategic resources that British Columbians expect will be managed in a manner that is socially responsible and environmentally sustainable, enhancing the overall quality of life for all British Columbians.
Objective 3.1: Create a positive urban/agriculture relationship to facilitate sustainable growth for farms while enhancing the overall quality of life for British Columbians
Agriculture and aquaculture activity occur within communities and depend on good relations with local government and community members.
In 1931, Canada’s farm population made up 33 per cent of the total population. As of 2001, Canada’s farm population significantly decreased to 2.4 per cent of the total population.
B.C.’s farm population has gone from 1.8 per cent to 1.6 per cent (1996 to 2001) of the total population.
Much of the farmland in B.C. is near areas of urban, residential and commercial development.
While preservation of agricultural land in B.C. is overseen by the Agricultural Land Commission, the Ministry builds on this mandate and aims to create a positive urban/agriculture environment to ensure local governments and the public value the contributions of agriculture.
Strategies
- Bridge the urban/agriculture divide and ensure local governments value the contribution of farmers and the broader agriculture sector.
- Build greater understanding of agriculture and aquaculture’s contribution to the community through youth programs (e.g., 4-H, fairs, “Agriculture in the Classroom”) and other proactive communication strategies.
- Draw upon best practices in other jurisdictions for developing positive relationships between urban and agricultural communities.
Performance Measure 5: Support for agriculture
With only 1.6 per cent of British Columbians living on farms, it has become increasingly important for local governments to find ways to connect with their farm and ranch communities, and continue to support the agriculture sector. Currently, there are 49 local governments in British Columbia with significant agricultural lands. This measure will provide an indication of the capacity of farm communities to influence local issues and regulatory climates that affect agriculture.
The Ministry has a survey underway to measure British Columbian’s awareness and perception of agriculture in relation to the Ministry’s work.
Objective 3.2: Robust economically, socially and environmentally sustainable agriculture and Crown land management practices that reduce GHG emissions and assist successful adaptation to climate change
The provincial government has committed to make its own operations carbon-neutral by 2010 and to reduce B.C.’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by at least 33 per cent by 2020. The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, working with the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services, is working towards an action plan to reduce its own carbon footprint in areas such as employee travel and energy usage in buildings.
The Ministry will also work with industry, other governments, First Nations and Non-Government Organizations on opportunities and projects to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the most credible, aggressive and economically viable sector solutions. It is important to address the risks associated with climate change, while positioning B.C. agriculture and Crown land sectors to take advantage of the emerging opportunities.
Strategies
- Support initiatives to reduce and capture methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture and other activities on Crown lands.
- Assist clients and stakeholders to reduce use of inputs derived from fossil fuels (e.g., fuels, fertilizers) throughout the agriculture, aquaculture and food supply and distribution value chain.
- Work with the agricultural sector to develop alternative green energy opportunities.
- Investigate opportunities for carbon sequestration in agriculture and on Crown land.
Performance Measure 6: Province’s target to reduce GHG emission expressed in percentage reduction of GHG emissions
In support of the Province’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the Ministry will facilitate the reduction of GHG emissions within Ministry operations and in areas related to its mandate and programs through effective strategies. The Ministry will track agriculture’s contribution to this initiative and is working towards development of meaningful targets.
Objective 3.3: Crown land policy framework and supporting strategies enable administration of the Land Act to achieve government objectives
Crown land is a strategic resource that British Columbians expect will be managed in a manner that is socially responsible
and environmentally sustainable. Allocation decisions and management of Crown lands are guided by a framework of legislation,
policy, guidelines and tenure requirements. The Ministry develops, maintains and supports implementation of the Crown Land
Allocation Framework to ensure that it is responsive to the changing needs and demands of communities, First Nations, sector
interests and the Province’s broader strategic objectives.
Strategies
- Support government’s commitment to a New Relationship with First Nations.
- Improve Crown land allocation policy and business processes to better serve clients.
- Continue to provide support to the Integrated Land Management Bureau and other government partners that provide Crown land services and land-use planning tools.
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