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Grown in BC: John Rustad Unveils Plan to Strengthen BC’s Farming Industry and Boost Local Food Production
“Farmers across BC are ready to grow, but the NDP’s policies are holding them back. The Conservative Party will unlock BC’s agricultural potential, support our farmers, and ensure British Columbians have access to affordable, locally-produced food.” - John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia
September 28th, Abbotsford, BC: John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, today unveiled the party’s comprehensive “Grown in BC” agricultural plan aimed at revitalizing the province’s farming industry, reducing operational costs, and ensuring that British Columbians can access affordable, locally-grown food. Rustad condemned the NDP government’s failure to address the challenges facing BC’s farmers, including excessive regulation, rising taxes, and a lack of infrastructure investment, which has harmed both producers and consumers.
“Our farmers contend with enough challenges from nature—they shouldn’t have to fight the government too,” said Rustad. “The NDP has neglected BC’s agricultural sector for too long, leading to a drop in farm jobs, higher costs at the grocery store, and a growing food crisis. The Conservative Party of BC will get BC growing again by investing in our farmers, expanding access to local markets, and cutting the unnecessary red tape that’s holding them back.”
Supporting BC Farmers
The Conservative Party’s Grown in BC plan promises robust financial and structural support to help farmers thrive and meet the demands of a growing population. Key measures include:
- Investing in agricultural research and development to support innovative, climate-resilient farming practices, and disease-resistant crops.
- Provide financial support for yield-increasing measures including both conventional and alternative practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, and regenerative agriculture.
- Increasing access to advanced agricultural technologies by streamlining grant programs for small and medium-sized farmers, ensuring they can adopt cutting-edge tools and practices.
- Helping farmers recover from extreme weather events like floods and heatwaves by increasing replanting support and disaster recovery funds.
- Enhancing pollinator populations through improved stewardship of crown land and supporting farmers’ use of pollinator-friendly practices.
Expanding Infrastructure and Market Access
With BC’s food and beverage processing industry generating over $10 billion annually, the Conservative Party will focus on ensuring farmers have the infrastructure and market access they need to bring their products to consumers. Key components of the plan include:
- Expanding the Buy BC program to prioritize locally-produced food and beverages in stores, giving British Columbians better access to home-grown products.
- Increasing local food processing capacity by creating tax incentives for food manufacturing, reducing reliance on imports, and creating local markets for BC farmers.
- Improving rural transportation infrastructure to ensure farmers can get their goods to market safely and efficiently.
- Opening new international markets for BC agrifood products where opportunities exist to help farmers get ahead. Food security for BC will remain our #1 priority.
Reducing the Costs of Growing Food
Under the NDP, farming costs have soared, making it harder for farmers to produce affordable food for British Columbians. The Grown in BC plan will:
- Scrap the carbon tax, which has increased operational costs across the entire agricultural supply chain, making local food more expensive.
- Launch land access incentives, providing tax relief for small farmers renting land and making it easier for new entrants to start farming.
- Establish a microloan program offering low-interest loans to help small farmers purchase equipment, seeds, and livestock, overcoming financial barriers to growth.
- Cut red tape on farm housing for agricultural workers and support increased access to temporary labour.
“By reducing the burdens on our farmers, we can lower the cost of food for everyone,” said Rustad. “The NDP’s carbon tax has driven up costs on everything from fuel to fertilizer—scrapping it will immediately make our food producers more competitive and help BC families access affordable, local food.”
Securing BC’s Water Supply for Agriculture
Water is essential to BC’s farming industry, yet the NDP’s mismanagement has left agricultural areas vulnerable to droughts and floods. The Grown in BC plan includes:
- Investing in flood mitigation infrastructure in high-risk agricultural areas like the Sumas Prairie to protect farms from future disasters.
- Expanding water storage capacity on farms through increased funding for on-farm reservoirs and irrigation systems, reducing dependence on fluctuating water sources.
- Protecting agricultural water rights in legislation to ensure farmers have protected and long-term access to water for irrigation and livestock.
“BC’s farmers need reliable access to water to feed our province, and the NDP has failed to protect that essential resource,” Rustad said. “We will invest in water infrastructure and make sure agriculture is prioritized in water management policies.”
Restoring Accountability and Cutting Red Tape
The Conservative Party is committed to reducing the bureaucracy and regulations that have hampered BC’s agricultural sector. The Grown in BC plan will:
- Slash red tape and unnecessary regulations, allowing farmers to focus on growing food rather than navigating government hurdles.
- Review the Agricultural Land Commission to ensure that farmers have cost-effective access to the processing and distribution supply chain.
“Farmers across BC are ready to grow, but the NDP’s policies are holding them back,” Rustad concluded. “The Conservative Party will unlock BC’s agricultural potential, support our farmers, and ensure British Columbians have access to affordable, locally-produced food.”
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For more information, please contact [email protected].
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