New government regulations will make it easier for farmers to add or enlarge processing facilities on agricultural land and to establish breweries, distilleries and meaderies under terms similar to wineries.
Changes to the Agricultural Land Commission Act will allow farmers to process, cook, freeze and pack their crops on land in the Agricultural Land Reserve provided that at least 50 per cent of the farm products are grown on the farm or are supplied by a co-operative of farmers.
Allowing one farm to host processing for local co-operative groups will encourage farmers to pool their resources and increase production while minimizing the footprint required for processing, said agriculture minister Norm Letnick.
RANDY SHORE – VANCOUVER SUN – JUNE 16, 2015.
Want More Investigative Content?
