Part B: Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

Overview

Ministry Goals

The Ministry's service plan is organized around its three long-term goals.

• Competitive, world class agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors.
• Agriculture, aquaculture and food systems that are environmentally sustainable and promote human, plant and animal health.
• Administration of Crown land that promotes sustainability and the greatest benefits for British Columbians.

Linkage to the Five Great Goals

Ministry work directly contributes to three of the government's Five Great Goals for a Golden Decade.

• The Ministry's ActNow BC initiatives contribute to government's goal to lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness.
• Ministry goals regarding environmental sustainability of the agriculture, aquaculture and food systems and sustainability through the administration of Crown land support government's goal to lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality and the best fisheries management, bar none.
• Ministry goals to achieve competitive, world class agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors, and the greatest benefits for British Columbians through the administration of Crown land contribute to government's goal to create more jobs per capita than anywhere else in Canada.

Cross Ministry Initiatives

The Province has identified priorities that will require collaborative efforts across all of government: The Ministry of Agriculture and Lands makes an important contribution.

Mountain Pine Beetle

Projections indicate the mountain pine beetle infestation could kill 80 per cent of the pine forest in British Columbia by 2013. Pine forests dominate the interior of B.C., and their loss has significant implications to the forest environment, economy and the communities that depend on those forests for sustainability. The B.C. Government, through coordination by the Ministry of Forests and Range and the Provincial Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan, is working across a number of ministries to minimize and mitigate negative environmental and socio-economic impacts of the infestation, while recovering the greatest value and protecting public health, safety and infrastructure. The Ministry contributes to this initiative by pursuing opportunities for increasing forage and grazing land, agroforestry and bio-products.

ActNow BC

ActNow BC, led by Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts, combines cross government and community-based approaches to promote healthy living choices for British Columbians. The programs and initiatives champion healthy eating, physical activity, ending tobacco use, and healthy choices during pregnancy. The Ministry contributes to ActNow BC through programs such as Agri-food Partners in Healthy Eating, School Fruit and Vegetable Snack, Growing Healthy Kids One Snack at a Time, First Nations Community Food Systems for Healthy Living, and Healthy Dining.

2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

All provincial ministries, agencies and Crown corporations have been working together to ensure every available opportunity to develop sustainable economic legacies are explored and pursued so that businesses and communities in British Columbia receive benefit from the Games. The Ministry contributes by supporting the development and implementation of an agri-food industry strategy for capturing 2010 opportunities.

Asia Pacific Initiative

The British Columbia Asia Pacific Initiative ensures the province has a coordinated and targeted strategic plan in place that takes full advantage of B.C.'s Pacific Gateway advantages and Asian cultural and language base. The Asia Pacific Initiative defines B.C.'s future role in the Asia Pacific economy and identifies the immediate priority actions that must be taken to further integrate the province into Asian markets. The Ministry supports this initiative by working with the federal government to encourage foreign investment into B.C. and developing capacity for expansion into Asia Pacific markets.

Regulatory Reform

British Columbia continues to make regulatory reform a priority across government, making it easier for businesses to operate and succeed in British Columbia, while still preserving regulations that protect public health, safety and the environment. A citizen-centred approach to regulatory reform will reduce the number of steps it takes to comply with government requirements or access government programs and services.

The Ministry supports the government's Regulatory Reform Initiative by committing to maintaining a zero net increase in regulatory requirements through 2009/10 and continuing to identify further regulatory reduction and regulatory reform opportunities.

Three-year regulatory reform initiatives include:

• reviewing of traceability standards and requirements to encourage industry-led quality control programs;
• examining livestock containment, licencing and tracking requirements for alternative approaches and to ensure obsolete requirements are eliminated;
• aligning animal disease management and health regulatory requirements to address zoonotic diseases such as avian influenza;
• ensuring the plant health requirements are harmonized with federal plant health requirements and explore a move towards a risk assessment model; and
• updating and streamlining the Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Act and associated Regulation.

Citizen-Centred Service Delivery

Citizen-centred service delivery is a government-wide initiative to coordinate information, programs and services so that they can be presented to citizens in a way that takes their needs into account from beginning to end. The vision is to make it possible for citizens to access the government information and services they need in a simple and timely manner with a phone call, a mouse click or a visit to a service centre, no matter how many programs or ministries are involved in their request.

The Ministry promotes a citizen-centred approach to service delivery that reduces the number of steps and time required by citizens, businesses and industry to access government services and comply with government requirements. A key initiative underway in the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is the InfoBasket Expansion.

InfoBasket is a web-based agri-food information portal accessible by farmers and the broader public on a 24/7 basis. The major focus of InfoBasket is to enable access by industry to a wide range of information to make better business decisions to support improved profitability and competitiveness. At present, information is available for 26 Communities or sectors and an additional two Communities will be added in 2007/08. The information encompasses production and processes, business management and finance, marketing and trade, regulations and legislation, directories and industry statistics.

Performance Plan Summary Table

Performance Plan

Long-term prosperity for British Columbia's agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors is only possible if they are profitable, sustainable and have the support of consumers and citizens. 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 risks. The Ministry also recognizes the importance of managing the urban/agriculture divide for maintaining public acceptance of agricultural lands and sustainable growth in these sectors.

To foster economic sustainability, strategic policy and initiatives are designed to ensure that all levels of the value chain, from primary producers to the retailers, are profitable. The Ministry supports the industry to identify and seize new opportunities by promoting diversification, adoption of new technologies and sector adjustment and transition.

• Identify and promote development opportunities throughout the agriculture and agri-food value chain (including bio-fuels, agri-tourism, silvopasture, and access to land and labour);
• promote sector adjustment on a priority basis (including tree fruit industry strategy, meat transition assistance program, livestock waste tissue initiative, cattle industry strategy, bio-fuel feasibility study);
• maintain and improve domestic and international market access by addressing tariff and technical trade barriers and positioning products through country of origin labeling and standards and certification programs;
• implement the Ministry's science and innovation strategy to accelerate adoption of new technologies and practices within the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors;
• deliver information and extension services to the agriculture and food sector through InfoBasket, outreach workers and farm extension specialists; and
• complete an Agriculture Plan for the Province by June 2007.

Dollar value of industry investment. This performance measure tracks the value of new investment in labour and capital in the B.C. agriculture and food sectors and provides a useful indicator of market conditions both in a particular industry and the economy as a whole. Growth in capital expenditures gives an indication of the views management holds on future market demands in relation to productive capacity. A three-year average is used as it gives a clearer trend line given that fluctuations in year-to-year investments can be significant.

Net cash-income. Net cash-income provides a measure of the efficiency and profitability of farm business operations. The measure reflects farm business cash flow (gross revenues minus operating expenses), excluding capital costs, generated from the production of agricultural goods. Growth in the indicator signals an increase in farm revenues and/or a decline in farm expenditures, signaling increased operating efficiencies. A three-year rolling average is used to account for unexpected and uncontrollable factors that may affect revenues or expenditures in any given year.

Performance in relation to the targets in both these measures is affected by a wide range of factors, many of which are beyond the Ministry's control: These include extreme weather conditions, animal diseases, surges in fuel costs or fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates.

Weather hazards, natural disasters, diseases, pests and market declines pose significant risks for farmers. Such risks reduce farm income and can lead to financial instability of sectors within the industry. The Ministry aims to create a stable platform for the sector by providing comprehensive programming that allows farmers to proactively manage risk.

• Promote effective management of income risks through the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program and Production Insurance;
• in collaboration with federal/provincial/territorial partners review CAIS and consider the establishment of a complementary disaster program framework;
• provide programs and tools that help farmers to manage the risks and impacts associated with wildlife; and
• continue to ensure program changes remain within fiscal capacity of the Province.

Level of coverage under business risk management programs. This performance measure tracks the extent of coverage provided by the Production Insurance and Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization programs to reduce the financial impact of uncontrollable risks. The 70 per cent target for Production Insurance represents the national standard. While this standard has been met and even exceeded in recent years, participation is voluntary and any number of factors (that is, premium increases, price competition or weather) can present a significant challenge to maintain this level of coverage. Production Insurance helps producers manage uncontrollable losses due primarily to weather.

The Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program provides protection for overall income losses not covered by Production Insurance. For example, income losses related to factors such as increases in input costs or sudden price declines. The 85 per cent target represents a national standard for the minimum level of coverage.

Processing time for claims under Production Insurance. Studies indicate that timeliness in processing insurance claims is highly important to customer satisfaction. The Ministry plans to improve its payment processing times for Production Insurance to ensure farmers do not experience financial hardship as a result of delayed payments. Claims under the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization Program are administered by the federal government.

Agriculture and aquaculture activity occurs within communities and depends on good relations with local government and community members. Much of the farm land in B.C. is near areas of urban residential and commercial development. While the 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 facilitate sustainable growth for farms while enhancing the overall quality of life for all British Columbians.

• Deliver the Strengthening Farming Program to bridge the urban/agriculture divide and ensure local governments value the contribution of farmers and the broader agriculture sector;
• continue to build relationships with local governments, First Nations and key stakeholders across B.C. with an interest in aquaculture management; and
• build greater understanding of agriculture and aquaculture's contribution to the community through youth programs (for example, 4-H, fairs, "Agriculture in the Classroom") and other proactive communication strategies.

Number of agricultural advisory committees. With only 1.6 per cent of British Columbians living on farms, it has become increasingly important for local governments to find ways to keep in touch with their farm and ranch communities, and facilitate support for the agriculture sector. This measure provides an indication of building capacity within farm communities to influence issues that affect agriculture. Agricultural advisory committees build agricultural awareness in their communities as well as promote the development of local Agricultural Area Plans (which includes planning for farm and residential borders) and agricultural-related economic and agri-tourism strategies. Currently, there are 49 local governments in British Columbia with significant agricultural lands.

British Columbians and the government require that food production systems support public health and environmental goals. British Columbia is committed to enhancing its reputation as a world leader and community partner by maintaining world class food production practices. The Ministry contributes to this goal by assisting the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors to enhance food safety and environmental practices to improve B.C.'s water, soil and air quality into the future. This goal also recognizes the benefits of promoting healthy eating and overall societal well-being.

Responsible production and environmental protection are key to B.C.'s agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors in maintaining long-term sustainability as well as community and consumer confidence in the sectors. The Ministry plays a significant role in encouraging and supporting the application of environmentally sound production practices by producers in the agriculture and aquaculture sectors. Ministry aquaculture compliance programs and information services are also critical for reducing environmental risks.

• Deliver regional and sector programs that promote environmental protection (that is, Environmental Farm Plans, nutrient management, carcass disposal, aquaculture licensing and compliance, water management);
• ensure that provincial and multi-sectoral initiatives consider the needs and interests of the agriculture and aquaculture sector;
• integrate the requirements for water by the agriculture industry into the provincial water strategy;
• quantify and mitigate the impacts of agricultural practices on water, air and soil quality; and
• continue to enhance province-wide coordination of invasive plant management.

Per cent of industry compliance with aquaculture licensing and regulatory requirements. The intent of the licensing and regulatory requirements is to ensure that finfish aquaculture operators are demonstrating accountable and environmentally sustainable practices, which include the prevention of finfish escapes to the environment. The measure provides an indication of the overall average of industry-wide level of compliance to the Ministry's aquaculture licensing and regulatory requirements based on a calendar year inspection cycle.

Number of farms with Environmental Farm Plans. Environmental Farm Plans are an indicator of the agricultural sector's willingness to employ beneficial management practices. Environmental Farm Plans help farmers to identify environmental risks and benefits from their individual farming operation. Environmental Farm Plans are considered completed when a risk assessment of the farm or range has been conducted and an action plan for mitigating identified risks has been developed, and considered implemented once all risks identified have been addressed. Initial targets for completed and implemented plans were based on surveys of farmers at the start of the program (in 2003), and revised annually based on the results of previous years. The plans are optional, but financial assistance to address environmental risks is provided to farmers who complete and implement approved plans.

The Ministry works with industry and other government agencies to develop and maintain a coordinated and effective framework for preventing, containing and eliminating disease outbreaks and threats. This contributes to the broader public health, protects capacity of the land and provides consumers and markets with assurance that B.C. products are safe.

• Work with all levels of government and industry to enhance preparedness for possible incursion of avian influenza into B.C. (that is, H5N1 Planning Council, Foreign Animal Disease Emergency Support (FADES) planning, bio-security plans with poultry industry and CL3 laboratory expansion activities);
• facilitate the development of tracking and traceability systems for food and agriculture sectors, beginning with livestock and poultry sectors;
• improve the capacity to diagnose and respond to disease-causing agents, invasive plants and pests through the plant health initiative;
• in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the federal government and industry associations, promote the development and adoption of programs and practices throughout the agriculture value chain that protects against risk to animal and human health, including BSE testing for all B.C. cattle; and
• develop a strategy for partners in the eating healthy component of ActNow BC.

Number of national on-farm food safety and quality programs implemented. Currently there are 30 National On-Farm Food Safety and Quality Programs developed by national producer organizations which cover plants and animals used for food products. The programs are funded by the Canada-British Columbia Agricultural Policy Framework and designed to provide assurance that food safety issues are identified and addressed. As programs are approved, producer organizations decide to implement them across Canada. The Ministry supports implementation of approved programs on B.C. farms to meet the objective of effective management of risks affecting food safety.

Per cent compliance with Fish Health Management Plans. All finfish aquaculture farms are required to have an approved Fish Health Management Plan in place as a condition of their license. 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. The Ministry undertakes random audits of all fish farms annually to ensure compliance with the Fish Health Management Plans.

Per cent of routine samples completed within 5 days. The Ministry's laboratory provides full service diagnostics for all species. Depending on the nature of the analysis, the length of time to complete testing can range from hours to 14 days. All samples in which avian influenza is suspected and those submitted for BSE testing are reported on within 24 hours. Timely processing and reporting is critical to the containing potential pandemic outbreaks.

Crown land plays a key role in the development of British Columbia and remains vital to the societal, economic and environmental values of this Province. Allocation decisions and management of Crown lands are guided by a framework of legislation, policies, 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.

The Ministry is responsible for the policies that establish the objectives, principles and rules that define how Crown land will be used. Crown land policies and administration must be relevant, up-to-date and responsive to society's changing needs. In support of this, the Ministry develops and maintains policies and guidelines, provides advice and analytical support to clients, and is directly involved in more complex land dispositions.

In the case of major Crown land dispositions, the Ministry supports collaborative planning and consensus-based problem-solving with local governments, First Nations, and other stakeholders, to identify Crown land development opportunities that are socially, economically and environmentally sound.

• Develop a modern and integrated Crown Land Allocation Framework (CLAF) by undertaking an analysis of client and government needs and updating policies that currently guide Crown land allocation decisions and land-use planning;
• continue to provide support to ILMB and other government partners that provide Crown land services and land use planning process;
• improve our approach to consultation and accommodation regarding the disposition and administration of Crown lands; and
• provide leadership in identifying how B.C.'s Crown land can be best used to respond to current and emerging needs and in the development and marketing of Crown land in support of broader government objectives.

Operational policies reviewed and updated. Currently there are 26 main operational policies governing Crown land administration. These policies provide guidance for a wide-range of land uses ranging from wind power to community recreation. A comprehensive review of B.C.'s Crown land policy and consultations with partners and agencies is underway. The objective of the review is to achieve a coordinated and cost effective policy framework for Crown land administration.

The Ministry has a responsibility to ensure that Crown contaminated sites do not pose risks to human health and the environment and for fostering a cross government approach that coordinates the identification, prioritization, remediation and reporting of contaminated sites. The identification and remediation of contaminated sites is undertaken using a risk-based approach that considers potential impacts to human health and the environment and potential benefits associated with the future use of remediated lands.

• Remediate priority Crown Contaminated Sites that are the responsibility of the Province;
• identify opportunities to utilize public-private partnerships to complete the remediation of sites; and
• work with other provincial ministries and agencies to deliver reliable, relevant, accurate and transparent reports of contaminated sites management.

Number of priority sites for which remediation is underway/completed. All contaminated sites identified by the Province are prioritized based on anticipated risks to human health and the environment. The indicator provides a measure of progress in remediating these priority sites. Remediation includes both clean-up of a contaminated site and the preceding investigative work. Site remediation can be a multi-year exercise, depending on the site size, complexity and regulatory requirements for clean-up.

Changes to 2007/08 – 2009/10 Service Plan

During 2006/07, the Ministry revised its Vision and Values which are reflected in the 2006/07 – 2008/09 Service Plan. The intent of these statements remains the same; however, we believe the new statements provide a clearer focus and description of what we do. Our values were changed to reflect the high regard we have for our people, our services and the way in which we conduct our business.

In addition, this service plan includes three new performance measures to reflect the Ministry's commitment to its quality service values:

• processing time for claims under Production Insurance;
• processing time for diagnostic samples; and
• operational policies reviewed and updated.

In addition, the following performance measures were added to provide a more comprehensive picture of the economic status of the agriculture, aquaculture and food sectors and controls for fish health:

• net cash income; and
• compliance with Fish Health Management Plans.

The following three performance measures were removed from this service plan to allow for the new measures:

• dollar value of international exports in agriculture and food sectors;
• dollar value of Ministry investment in R&D and related scientific initiatives; and
• an effective Crown land allocation framework.