Objectives, Strategies, Performance Measures and Targets
— Continued
Core Business Area 4 — Environmental Sustainability and Resource
Development
Context: In order to achieve the economic potential of
agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries, we need to manage growth
in an environmentally and socially sound manner. We must take
advantage of our unique opportunities to capitalize on BC’s leadership
in developing and using environmentally sound management practices
such as Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and others.
As well, we must promote co-operation and understanding among
neighbours at the rural/urban interface. While urban dwellers
are concerned about some agricultural practices of neighbouring
farms, the agriculture sector itself is increasingly concerned
about its ability to operate effectively within municipal areas
because of the impact of some local government bylaws that could
limit operations by type, size or operational methods.
Some government regulations also may constrain development and
investment in agriculture. The ministry works with other government
ministries to address these constraints. As an example, work is
continuing on provincial wildlife management policies to better
balance wildlife management objectives with agricultural development
objectives. Similar work is continuing on the agriculture/aquaculture
industry’s access to Crown land and water, predator management,
and other issues.
The ministry develops and delivers programs on best farm practices
related to management of soil, waste and water. Ministry staff
members also work very closely with local government officials
in reviewing their bylaws to ensure they are supportive of farm
operations and therefore encourage investment in their local economies.
Goal: Sustainable development of the agri-food and seafood
sectors.
Outcome: Achieve economic growth in balance with environmental
and social values.
| Measure |
2002/03 Base |
2003/04 Target |
2004/05 Target |
2005/06 Target |
| Relative financial growth
of operations with farm environmental plans versus historic
data |
Not available
Environmental farm plan program being developed
|
Baseline information will
be developed |
Maintain growth in agriculture
and aquaculture |
Agriculture = 5%/yr. growth in farm income
Fish = 4% increase in wholesale value
|
Objective 1: An agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries
industry that uses management practices that pose acceptable risks
to the environment.
| Measure |
2002/03 Base |
2003/04 Target |
2004/05 Target |
2005/06 Target |
| Degree to which farms use
best management practices, i.e., make changes according to
on-farm environmental plans or comply with standards1 |
Less than 10% of BC agriculture farms have implemented
on-farm environmental plans
15% in aquaculture sector
|
10%
|
Gradual increase over 3
years to 2005/06 targets |
40% — agriculture sector
60% — aquaculture sector
|
Strategies
- Develop and promote farm use of farm environmental plans
(including best practices, standards, operating procedures and
audit processes), in conjunction with producers, regions and
agencies.
- Negotiate a fair share of funding through the federal/provincial
Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) for environmental sustainability
programs.
- Continue to update our standards, policies and regulations
maximizing environmental performance of the aquaculture industry.
- Work with provincial government ministries and agencies on
policies and strategies dealing with drinking water, wildlife
management, weed control on Crown land and other similar issues
to maximize returns from agricultural crops and livestock.
Objective 2: Create and maintain a positive regulatory
climate within local government jurisdictions to encourage investment
in agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries in their communities,
and to encourage the use of responsible production practices.
| Measure |
2002/03 Base |
2003/04 Target |
2004/05 Target |
2005/06 Target |
| Evaluation index*
of local government policies and programs supporting agriculture
and fisheries |
Evaluation criteria in development |
Baseline index established
and tested |
10% improvement in evaluation
index |
10% improvement in evaluation
index |
Strategies
- Review local government bylaws to ensure they support farmers
in using normal farm practices in order to be economically viable.
- Develop standards for local government bylaws to ensure bylaws
are fair and supportive to agriculture.
- Work with local governments to develop agriculture area plans
that will provide direction and guidance on actions local governments
should take to enhance their local agriculture industries.
- Support formation and operation of local agriculture advisory
committees so that agriculture issues receive priority attention
from Council and Boards.
Objective 3: Increase amount and capability of Crown ALR
land for agricultural production.
| Measure |
2002/03 Base |
2003/04 Target |
2004/05 Target |
2005/06 Target |
| Production capacity of Crown
ALR land for grazing |
Approximately 897,000 Animal
Unit Months of grazing capacity — 2001 data |
Maintain Animal Unit Months
of grazing capacity |
Maintain Animal Unit Months
of grazing capacity |
Maintain Animal Unit Months
of grazing capacity |
Strategies
- Participate with Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management
in expanding the agriculture lease-to-buy program to provide
greater access to crown land for agriculture, and to increase
the grazing capacity of Crown range leases.
| Core Business Area |
2002/03 Restated
Estimates |
2003/04
Estimates |
2004/05 Plan |
2005/06 Plan |
| Operating
Expenses ($000) |
| Operating Expenses |
8,362 |
7,466 |
7,466 |
7,466 |
| Full-time
Equivalents (FTE) |
| FTEs |
90.5 |
76.5 |
75.0 |
75.0 |
| Ministry
Capital Expenditures (Consolidated Revenue Fund) $000 |
| Capital Expenditures |
140 |
667 |
686 |
668 |
Core Business Area 1 —
Industry Competitiveness
Core Business Area 2 —
Fisheries and Aquaculture Management
Core Business Area 3 —
Food Safety and Quality
Core Business Area 4 — Environmental Sustainability and
Resource Development
Core Business Area 5 —
Risk Management
Core Business Area 6 —
Executive and Support Services
