Highlights of the Year

British Columbia's agriculture, food and fisheries sectors are important contributors to the provincial economy. They generate significant income and employment at the primary, processing/manufacturing, retail and food service levels.

There are challenges to the stability and growth potential of these sectors. For example, global markets are highly competitive, well subsidized and still have trade barriers in place, as well as changing standards. Consumers are more aware and demand greater information, along with wider choices and experiences. Business development is moving from a focus on production to one driven by the market. The Avian Influenza crisis, ongoing consequences of the U.S. border closure due to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, impacts of Sudden Oak Death on our nursery and landscape industries, and an early September snowfall on grain crops in the Peace River region have highlighted the need for maintaining current programs and regulations.

In 2004/05, the ministry achieved several milestones that will continue to improve the competitive position of B.C.'s agriculture, food and fisheries sectors, while providing safe, sustainable, high-quality food for consumers and export markets. Significant achievements in 2004/05 include:

Renewing Fisheries and Aquaculture

• Established the Pacific Salmon Forum to provide independent and open discussion on science, policy and regulatory issues with a view to protecting wild salmon stocks, increasing public confidence in fisheries management — particularly in aquaculture — and enhancing aquaculture in coastal communities. The Nanaimo-based forum is comprised of representatives from coastal communities, the fishing industry and First Nations.
• Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ottawa to implement the federal Oceans Strategy on the West Coast. Canada and British Columbia have agreed to jointly develop six sub-agreements on implementation measures. These measures include a marine protected areas framework, sharing information related to offshore oil and gas resources, and streamlining and harmonizing regulatory decision-making for aquaculture.
• Continued the implementation of a comprehensive regulatory regime for aquaculture addressing fish health, fish escapes and waste management, and included a sea lice strategy which requires monitoring on all salmon farms. Action levels set for fish farmers to manage sea lice in 2005 are among the most stringent in salmon-farming countries, helping ensure the potential impact on wild stocks is negligible. The ministry also committed to audit farms more frequently during smolt out-migration.
• Released the fourth annual Inspection Report on Marine Finfish Aquaculture Sites, showing high compliance with general licensing requirements and the amended Aquaculture Regulation, which includes escape prevention activities. Results clearly demonstrate the ministry is conducting its regulatory role effectively by monitoring, auditing and enforcing the aquaculture regulatory framework.

Food Safety and Quality

• Identified the Avian Influenza outbreak in the Fraser Valley poultry industry. The ministry worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to contain and eradicate the virus and help restore the industry to normal function. A follow-up national forum, lead by the ministry, aimed to apply lessons learned from the B.C. experience to any further disease outbreaks. A $3.25-million fund to support industry-led implementation of enhanced bio-security and surveillance measures was established to reduce the risk of future occurrences of foreign animal disease outbreaks in B.C., and to foster research in rebuilding the Fraser Valley poultry industry.
• Facilitated the enhanced disaster response capability of the Animal Health Centre in Abbotsford. This centre played a key role in responding to the Avian Influenza crisis, and is accredited as a full service diagnostic laboratory by the prestigious American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, one of only two in Canada.
• Partnered with the federal government to provide $80 million in short-term financial assistance to farmers and ranchers affected by BSE, and worked with the meat processing sector — through the new Meat Industry Enhancement Strategy — to facilitate capacity expansion, reduce operating challenges, and develop a consistent approach to food safety. The ministry also collaborated with the Ministry of Heath Services in implementing new provincial meat inspection regulations.
• Developed a new provincial wine standards regulation, the Wines of Marked Quality Regulation. It will allow producers in B.C.'s premium grape and wine industry to expand their markets by ensuring that all wine made from 100 per cent B.C. grapes, identified with a provincial geographical indication, meets consistent and enforceable standards for quality and truth in labeling. This is good news for consumers who want to be confident the products they consume are safe and high in quality. The province designated the British Columbia Wine Authority to administer the program.

Sustainable Environment

• Signed agreements with five farm organizations to deliver Environmental Farm Planning (EFP) programs to agricultural producers under the Agricultural Policy Framework. British Columbia has completed 112 environmental farm plans and conducted 168 EFP workshops with 1,620 producers.
• Facilitated the establishment of the new Invasive Plant Council of B.C. to build cooperation and coordination to protect B.C.'s environment and minimize negative social and economic impacts caused by the introduction, establishment and spread of invasive plants. Funding of $2.35 million was provided to support the launch of two pilot projects to demonstrate locally-based implementation of Crown land noxious weed control programs.

Strong and Vibrant Economy

• Supported the establishment of a British Columbia Food Processors Association to develop industry-led ideas, markets and programs to support the food processing industry.
• Facilitated launch of the B.C. BioProducts Association to represent businesses with interests in a range of bioproducts from biodiesel, bioethanol, wood pellets, biomaterials, food products and nutraceuticals. The bio-economy represents a significant growth area for the province based on our relative abundance of sources, including agricultural, marine, forestry and various waste streams, to generate products.
• Appointed the B.C. Agri-Food Trade Council to respond to international and inter-provincial trade negotiations, providing the entire food and agriculture industry with timely and up-to-date information on current trade issues, honing a competitive edge and allowing the industry to take advantage of world markets.
• Established a $3.5-million Science and Innovation Fund, providing increased opportunities for the B.C. agriculture, food, beverage and agri-biotechnology sectors to move innovative ideas through research to market. The fund will help improve productivity, competitiveness, quality and variety in the industry and will coordinate and focus innovation, research, development and commercialization among industry, academic institutions, research institutes and government partners.
• Established a 2010 Industry Opportunities Fund to promote B.C. food and beverage products and growing agriculture and cuisine tourism opportunities leading up to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The province's agri-food, seafood and beverage businesses, restaurants and agri-tourism companies will develop products and services to meet an additional $250 million in spending on food and beverages expected each year over the next decade.