Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

Government Strategic Goals		Ministry Mission Statement Create a positive business climate for competitive, market-responsive, environmentally and socially sustainable agriculture, food and fisheries sectors, and safeguard B.C.'s ability to provide safe and high quality agriculture and food products for consumers.
		Ministry Goals		Ministry Objectives		Performance Measures/Indicators
Safe, healthy communities and a sustainable environment. A strong and vibrant provincial economy. A supportive social fabric.		1. Agri-food and seafood sectors that are competitive in a global economy, and provide economic benefits and stability to British Columbia.				Dollar value of exports.
				1. Increased ability to access markets.		Per cent annual growth.
				2. Increased investment and innovation in the agri-food and seafood sectors.		Dollar value of industry investment.
		2. Optimum benefits to British Columbia from marine fisheries and aquaculture.		1. A growing and well managed aquaculture sector.		1. Compliance with Best Management Practices. 2. Increase in number of tenures.
				2. Competitive seafood processing, capture-fisheries and tidal recreational fisheries sectors.		Number of fisheries managed through a joint decision-making process.
		3. Safe high-quality B.C. products, agri-food and seafood systems.		1. Production systems are protected against key diseases and pests, and associated risks to human health are minimized.		Database of pathogens, antimicrobial resistance and residues in the food chain and the environment.
				2. Agri-food and seafood industries are supported by sustainable safety and quality management systems.		Number of B.C.'s agriculture and seafood commodity groups implementing a national on-farm food and safety program.
		4. Environmentally sustainable development of the agriculture, food and fisheries sectors.		1. Resource management practices maintain high environmental standards.		Number of farms with environmental farm plans.
				2. A positive regulatory climate within local government.		Level of local government support for agriculture and fisheries.
				3. Appropriate access to Crown land and foreshore for agriculture and aquaculture production.		1. Productive capacity of Crown Agricultural Land Reserve. 2. Increase in hectares of land for aquaculture use.
		5. Reduced impact of income declines for farmers.				Minimize decline in farm incomes for agriculture sectors affected by disaster.
				1. A comprehensive risk management approach for farmers, providing a predictable response to uncontrollable and unpredictable disasters.		Level of participation in risk management programs, as measured by value of production of coverage for farms (with gross income greater than $50 k).
		6. Effective policy frameworks, management systems and practices.		1. Effective policy frameworks.		1. Development of the B.C. food strategy, which includes the national food policy and ActNow B.C. 2. Development and finalization of the fisheries and aquaculture policy framework. 3. B.C.'s share of national quota for supply-managed commodities.

Industry competitiveness is a measure of how well an individual business or industry sector can profitably compete for market share in the domestic and/or export marketplace. B.C.'s agriculture, seafood, beverage and food products are produced for highly competitive domestic and global markets.

Competitiveness is affected by many factors including technology that can reduce costs or enhance quality, the regulatory environment such as labour and processing plant regulations and trade-related barriers or market preferences that can impact access to markets. In addition, trade and economic policy, industry/company infrastructure and associated growth strategies can also influence competitiveness.

Increased access to markets and a positive business and investment climate will support continued growth for B.C. in these sectors.

Performance Measure:

Value of international exports: This measure monitors trends in the overall performance of B.C.'s agri-food and seafood sectors in the global economy.

Key strategies include:

• work with industry to identify opportunities for innovation and the development of niche markets and value chains through initiatives such as: the meat industry enhancement strategy, agri-tourism, B.C. Life Sciences and all 2010 strategies;
• work with industry to identify and remove obstacles relating to diversification; and
• reduce barriers to international and inter-provincial trade, and provide a level playing field by working to ensure that B.C. industry interests are considered in trade negotiations, agreements and disputes.

Performance Measure:

Per cent yearly growth: Performance is measured by monitoring growth in farm cash receipts for the agriculture sector, landed values for the fisheries sector and factory shipments for the food and beverage sector.

Key strategies include:

• promote self-funding mechanisms such as industry trusts or levies for producers, processors and other industry participants;
• facilitate investment and identify opportunities for industry diversification and innovation in areas such as the bio-based economy and seafood;
• endeavor to obtain the B.C. agri-food and seafood sector's fair share of federal and cross-government programs, initiatives and activities to promote research, exports and inward investment;
• reduce regulatory impediments; and
• increase use of Info-Basket, an online scientific, economic, business and statistical information source, through increased industry and public awareness.

Performance Measure:

Value of industry investment: The value of new investment in agriculture, food and fisheries sectors is used to assess the investment climate.

Marine fisheries (recreational, commercial and processing) and aquaculture contribute substantially to the economy of B.C. and its coastal communities. The ministry is pursuing opportunities for growth through the increased value of the aquaculture and wild fisheries sectors while supporting environmental sustainability and creating and maintaining jobs in coastal communities.

Seafood and fisheries industries are challenging businesses, particularly given the prominent federal role in management and regulation. Since both federal and provincial governments have shared responsibility with respect to marine fisheries and aquaculture, effective relationships are necessary for sector development.

The sectors are subject to fluctuations in wild fish populations, ever-changing consumer preference, volatile market prices, changing international economic conditions, shifting government policy and intense competition. To remain competitive in a global economy, issues relating to security of access and sector capacity need to be addressed.

Key strategies include:

• identify opportunities for growth of aquaculture in the north and central coast areas of B.C. by undertaking capability assessments;
• rebuild capacity for research and development of aquaculture through funding and participation in programs and on committees including: the Federal Aquaculture Research and Development Program and the B.C. Aquaculture Research and Development Committee;
• facilitate and develop a harmonized shellfish strategy to address issues relating to trade, shellfish health, marketing and research and development;
• ensure existing and new finfish farms are appropriately located;
• build on recommendations of the Pacific Salmon Forum, identifying opportunities for increasing public confidence in the management of marine aquaculture and enhancing sustainability;
• foster opportunities to build an integrated compliance and enforcement regime for the aquaculture industry working with DFO; and
• continue to monitor, inspect and report on industry activities in order to achieve full compliance and enforce all regulatory and policy requirements for waste management and escape prevention.

Performance Measures:

Compliance with Best Management Practices (BMP) from aquaculture regulation: Finfish operators must develop and implement a Best Management Practices plan (BMP) for each of their marine finfish aquaculture facilities. The intent of the BMP is to prevent escapes of finfish to the environment and to provide better assurance that operators will meet environmental sustainability objectives.

Increase in number of tenures: The number of sites tenured for finfish and shellfish production provides a measure of growth for aquaculture development.

Key strategies include:

• work with DFO, through the Pacific Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (PCFAM), to ensure federal policy reflects provincial objectives for the management of the pacific fisheries;
• increase market access through traceability of products, removal of non-tariff trade barriers, increased participation in third-party certification processes and facilitating industry access to federal international marketing programs;
• work with the federal government to act on the advice of the "Treaties in Transition (Pearse-McRae)" report and "Our Place at the Table" report; and
• lead ministry participation in cross-government coastal and ocean initiatives by representing B.C. fisheries and seafood industry interests.

Performance Measure:

Number of fisheries managed through a joint-decision making process: Economic sustainability is dependent on the level and certainty of access to resources. Measuring the increase in the number of B.C. fisheries¹ that the province directly influences through a joint decision-making process provides a strong measure in determining if B.C.'s interests concerning fair allocation and certainty of access to resources are represented.

Profitability and growth within the agriculture, food and fisheries sectors depends on continued consumer confidence, access to markets and assurance that production systems and products are protected against key diseases and pests, and associated risks to human health are minimized. British Columbians continue to demand that government ensure that food production systems support public health goals.

The Canada-British Columbia Agriculture Policy Framework provides partial funding for national and B.C. specific food safety and food quality initiatives in support of achieving this goal.

Customers in B.C. and export markets are increasingly sensitive to food safety and quality issues and demand assurance that production systems are supported by sustainable safety and quality management systems through appropriate on-farm practices and quality management to ensure that risks are minimized.

Key strategies include:

• in response to the AI crisis, work with government agencies and industry to develop a B.C. led national bio-security strategy;
• review and improve upon the emergency management program for foreign animal disease eradication;
• early diagnosis of animal, fish and plant diseases and pests, and activation of intervention plans to minimize economic losses; and
• strengthen prevention programs for food-borne health risks and pests of animals, fish and plants.

Performance Measure:

Database of animal and plant diseases in B.C.: Develop database, baseline information and surveillance for risk mitigation of public health.

Key strategies include:

• facilitate and support development of tracking/traceability systems that complement national systems for agri-food and seafood, from production through to retail;
• work with other government agencies such as: Ministry of Health, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) to facilitate industry-led food safety and quality initiatives throughout the value chain;
• work with other government agencies such as: the Ministries of Water, Land and Air Protection and Sustainable Resource Management; as well as, CFIA and AAFC to sponsor initiatives to mitigate the impact of plant and animal diseases, invasive pests and plant species; and
• encourage industry development and adoption of food safety and quality programs, such as the wine standards, in agriculture, food and fisheries that enable B.C. to access domestic and global markets that recognize high quality standards.

Performance Measure:

Rate of adoption of national on-farm food safety and quality programs: Performance in relation to this objective is measured by examining progress in the implementation of national on-farm food safety and quality programs.

In order to achieve the long-term economic potential of agriculture, food and fisheries sectors, growth must be environmentally and socially sound. The long-term sustainability of the sectors will depend on continued consumer, market and community support.

British Columbia has long been recognized for its leadership in environmentally sound farm practices through the development and adoption of integrated pest management and best waste management practices. The Canada-British Columbia Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) provides funding to support continued improvement of these practices through Environmental Farm Planning (EFP), documenting the high level of commitment to environmentally sustainable practices adopted by B.C. farmers.

The ministry also supports stronger links between local governments, the farm community and the province to address farming issues through the Strengthening Farming Program. A positive regulatory environment within local government can encourage investment and ensure production practices are responsible.

Some agriculture and aquaculture enterprises depend upon access to, and use of, Crown land tenures for their operations. The ministry will work to ensure that the productive capacity of these Crown lands is maintained, and opportunities for expansion of agriculture and aquaculture production that rely on this access and resources are realized.

Key strategies include:

• promote the development and use of environmental farm plans on farms;
• continue to update B.C.'s standards, policies and regulations maximizing environmental performance of the aquaculture industry;
• develop a provincial strategy for disposal of specified risk material; and
• contribute to provincial strategies on water, drought and weed management, and address wildlife-farm interface issues.

Performance Measure:

Number of farms with environmental farm plans: Progress towards this objective is measured by the rate of adoption of EFP's by farm businesses. Adoption of EFP's can include both completion and implementation of a plan. An EFP is considered implemented when the farm has addressed all regulatory non-compliance issues identified in the plan. The plan is considered completed when both the risk assessment and the action plan have been completed, and it has been signed off by a recognized Planning Advisor.

Key strategies include:

• review local government bylaws and develop standards to ensure that bylaws are fair and supportive to agriculture and aquaculture;
• develop a consultative process with local government to strengthen farming that addresses issues of concern to local government;
• work with local government to enhance the contribution that both agriculture and aquaculture sectors make to the community; and
• support the formation and operation of local agriculture advisory committees that provide local government with advice on land use, planning and regulation and other issues affecting agriculture and aquaculture sectors. In addition, develop relationship with the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to improve awareness of agriculture and aquaculture sectors needs.

Performance Measure:

Level of local government support for agriculture and fisheries: The ministry has developed an evaluation index to support performance measurement against this objective. The index considers many different aspects of local government policies and programs, bylaws and zoning and develops an overall rating of the effect the Strengthening Farming Program is having on the local government.

Key strategies include:

• work with Land and Water B.C. Inc. to secure access to Crown land for agriculture and aquaculture, and facilitate the development and productive use of these lands; and
• participate with the Ministry of Forests and other agencies to maintain and enhance access to Crown forage and rangelands for livestock grazing.

Performance Measures:

Productive capacity of Crown Agricultural Land Reserve: A key measure of access to Crown lands is the Crown land production capacity available to the agriculture sector for grazing. The focus for this objective is to measure capacity in terms of Animal Unit Months, which is the amount of forage consumed by a mature cow (with or without a calf up to six months of age) during one month.

Increase in hectares of land for shellfish and finfish aquaculture use: Increased access to Crown land and foreshore for aquaculture development is best measured by the increase in hectares of Crown land used for shellfish and finfish aquaculture production.

Weather hazards, natural disasters, diseases, pests and market declines pose significant risks to producers of agricultural products. All of these risks can cause losses and lead to income instability in specific commodities. An ongoing challenge for government is to develop policies and services that farmers can use to reduce the impact of income declines and provide government and farmers with a sustainable and predictable response to such crises. A long-term comprehensive approach to managing risk for farmers supports sector development.

The Canada-British Columbia Agriculture Policy Framework (APF) commits dedicated funding for two primary risk management programs: Production Insurance and the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization (CAIS) Program. Production Insurance is an insurance program providing coverage for weather-related losses for individual farmers. CAIS provides income stabilization and disaster support to farmers to reduce the impact of income declines that are beyond the farmer's ability to control.

The ministry is responsible for program design and delivery of Production Insurance and is responsible for marketing and promotion of risk management programs (CAIS and Production Insurance) to achieve high levels of participation.

Performance Measure:

Minimal decline in farm incomes: Performance is measured by monitoring farm incomes for sectors affected by disasters. Since programs can cover all crops and livestock production, disaster impacts on income will be measured by the annual deviation of gross incomes from the previous five-year average in the crops and livestock sectors respectively.

Key strategies include:

• maximize farmer participation in CAIS and Production Insurance programs;
• create partnerships with the private sector in the development and delivery of risk management programs such as a disease eradication program fund for the poultry sector;
• examine alternate delivery options to manage insurance-based risk management programs in British Columbia; and
• continue to support the beef and other ruminant sectors to meet the challenges of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), particularly through a national repositioning strategy.

Performance Measure:

Level of participation in risk management programs: The ministry will measure the extent to which farmers are purchasing risk management products. The primary risk management products are CAIS and Production Insurance. Farms with a gross income over $50,000 are of greatest interest since they tend to encompass the vast majority of farms that are operated as a business (as opposed to hobby farmers).

The agriculture, food and fisheries sectors operates in a complex legislative, policy and regulatory environment that involves provincial ministries and agencies, federal government, local government and First Nations communities. The ministry continues to focus on improving the functionality of its policy frameworks focussing on: the development of the national food policy and ActNow B.C., and the finalization of the fisheries and aquaculture policies.

B.C. has confirmed support for the regulated marketing system on the basis of economic benefits to the province. B.C. is actively pursuing improvements to the national supply management systems to advance to a more market responsive approach, with the objective of providing further opportunities for growth and development in the province.

Key strategies include:

• complete the refinement and the implementation of the economic and governance policy frameworks for regulated marketing to ensure accountability;
• establish a protocol with UBCM regarding consultation for application of the right to farm system for aquaculture;
• develop a strategic policy framework for the aquaculture and fisheries sectors with Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection and Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management;
• develop a strategic policy for the eating healthy component of ActNow B.C. and for an emerging discussion around a new direction for national food policy;
• develop a agri-food bio-products policy working with the federal government, Ministry of Advanced Education and Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development;
• achieve a fair allocation for B.C. supply-managed commodities based on their market share; and
• maintain profile of B.C.'s interests through representation on Federal/Provincial/Territorial committees such as: the Federal-Provincial Secretariat, the Federal-Provincial Marketing Development Committee and the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Agri-food Inspection Committee.

Performance Measures:

Development of B.C. food strategy and development and finalization of fisheries and aquaculture policy framework: A key measure of the success for the ministry is the documentation of policies, the development of new corporate strategies and policies and the communication and advancement of them through effective influence of other agencies, interests and levels of government that affect the ability of the ministry to achieve its goals.

B.C.'s share of national quota allocation for supply-managed commodities: Progress towards this objective is measured by monitoring B.C.'s share of the total Canadian production of some supply-managed commodities. The economic policy directs the regulated system to seek and achieve a fair allocation for B.C. producers based on their market share.