Stop changes to BC farmland protection: Chefs Table Society

VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Some big name chefs from Vancouver hope their voices will stop big changes to the way farmland is protected in BC.

Some of them say up to 90 per cent of their restaurant’s food can be locally sourced, but most of it comes from Zone 1 land which will stay protected.

Vice-president of the Chefs Table Society Jonathan Chovancek says even though the land in jeopardy is currently less desirable, he believes advances in technology can change that in the future.

“Systems are emerging that are going to allow us to farm that land, but if it’s gone, if it’s developed, there’s no opportunity to achieve that or have a chance at it,” he explains.

While the bill is likely to be passed soon, the details haven’t been fully worked out. So, these chefs are still hoping to make a difference.

In an emailed statement, Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick says the the Agricultural Land Commission Act is key in helping BC’s farmers grow their business and earn a better living.

“It also supports food security by helping farmers continue to produce food on their land, and makes the law clear that farmland preservation is the independent Agriculture Land Commission’s first priority, and that all decisions are made in the best interest of agriculture.”

Letnick says he’s looking forward to continuing discussions on Bill 24 and moving on to the next step. “The passion for local foods in BC has never been stronger. That was clear in my recent sit down conversations with the agriculture industry and from reading public feedback on Bill 24.”