Goals, Objectives, Strategies, and Results — Continued

Goal 1: Preservation of agricultural land.

Agricultural land in BC is protected through the Agricultural Land Reserve which is a provincial land use zone in favour of agriculture. The ALR is managed by the Agricultural Land Commission, a provincially-appointed body operating under the Agricultural Land Commission Act. The ALR provides a sustainable agricultural land base that supports, and creates opportunities for, a safe and secure source of food and other agricultural products. The protected land base also provides for agricultural expansion and compatible economic activities.

Outcome/Key Indicator (Goal Level):

A protected agricultural land base provides opportunities for the expansion of agriculture.

Objective 1:

Lands suitable for agriculture are retained in the ALR.

This objective relates directly to the primary goal and purpose of the Commission — to preserve agricultural land by ensuring that lands suitable for agriculture are retained in the ALR. The Commission decides applications for land use changes in the ALR. The Commission also reviews plans and bylaws of local governments and other agencies to ensure that the ALR is properly identified and that the policies are supportive of the ALR and farmland preservation. Review of related plans and policies helps to further the Commission's mandate.

Strategies:

1. Adjudicate applications based on land suitability and capability for agriculture.

2. Review the suitability of ALR lands for agriculture in response to planning reviews and improved information.

Objective 2:

Land use changes do not significantly diminish land capability and use for agriculture.

The Commission manages the ALR through the application process and the review of relevant planning documents. It endeavours to make decisions consistent with its purpose to preserve agricultural land. Land use changes approved by the Commission should therefore have minimal negative impacts on the ALR and its suitability for agriculture and related uses.

Strategy:

Assess the potential impact of decisions on the lands' use for agriculture.

Objective 3:

Expansion of economic opportunities for agriculture and compatible activities.

This objective relates to both Commission and government-wide strategic goals. A land base protected for agriculture provides opportunities for the expansion of farming and ranching, and for compatible economic activities such as agri-tourism and oil and gas extraction. The yearly growth in agricultural activity provides an indication of the success of the government-wide goal, the encouragement of economic activity, particularly in the province's rural areas. However, the continuing growth of this sector is influenced by many factors beyond the Commission's and government's control. The indicator and targets are consistent with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries' projected growth in the industry.

Strategies:

1. Consider compatible or complementary activities in the ALR.

2. Where appropriate, consider compensating benefits for agriculture when approvals are granted.