New Rules Are “Hurting” Family Farms

Apr 22, 2019 | 1:00 PM

The MLA for Vernon Monashee says changes to the Agricultural Land Commission are hurting farming families.

Eric Foster of the Liberals has told the Regional District of North Okanagan additional residences will not be allowed on farmland, and nor will detached suites and manufactured homes for family members.

“This is hurting family farms. It makes it difficult for families to stay together,” says Foster in a release from the meeting issued by the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce.

The new rules put a limit of 500 square metres for the total floor area of principal residences.

The MLA says he supports some regulations on the location and size of farm land residences, but says the NDP’s new policies are out of step with farm activities in the North Okanagan.

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RDNO director Rick Fairbairn says the changes are to prevent monster homes on farms in the Fraser Valley, but don’t work in other areas of BC.

“We have a bunch of bureaucrats on a power trip telling me how to develop my property,” said Fairbairn, director for Area D, rural Lumby, who also owns a ranch.

BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson said in the Legislature last month that farmers are fed up and angry with the government.

“They need to be able to manage their lands to produce food. They’ve found that under this agriculture minister, their property rights are being seriously trampled on,” reported The Tyee.

Agriculture Minister Lana Popham argued the government is doing a lot to support farming.

“You can’t really farm if you don’t have an Agricultural Land Reserve to do it on. We’re making sure that we’re revitalizing that reserve. We’re making it stronger than ever, said Popham who added the changes will make it more viable for farmers to make a living.

As for the houses, Popham said earlier this year the province will support larger families who need extra living space if it is to support their farming operations, and those families can work with the Agricultural Land Commission.

People who had permits in place to build a larger home before Feb. 22 can still proceed as long as construction begins by Nov. 5, 2019.

by Beach Radio