The changes would help prevent the spread of animal disease as well as improving the response to a potential outbreak. These changes are essential to meet our Agrifoods Strategy commitment to expand domestic and international markets.

The proposed changes follow consultation with B.C.'s livestock, poultry and honey producers, federal and provincial government agencies and more than 300 submissions to the ministry's web-based citizen consultation. Today's emphasis on food safety and security require we modernize the act, which has not been substantially changed since 1948.

B.C. Agrifoods Strategy included the development of a new animal health framework as one of 49 actions that will lead the B.C. agrifoods sector to becoming a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017.

Quotes:

Don McRae, Minister of Agriculture -

"These measures reinforce the importance British Columbian food producers place in providing their local and international customers with a healthy and trusted product. Our government is absolutely committed to ensuring B.C. uses the best disease prevention methods possible, and is prepared to immediately and effectively respond to an animal health emergency."

Bill Vanderspek, manager, Chicken Marketing Board -

"An animal-health emergency can be devastating to producers who have invested their entire lives in producing the best possible foods for British Columbians, and the communities they are part of. The poultry industry has invested significantly in disease prevention measures on farm. The modernized act complements this preventative approach and better prepares all to respond to emergencies, to the benefit of all British Columbians."

Kevin Boon, B.C. Cattlemen's Association -

"Producers and governments need to be active in disease prevention and ready for possible outbreaks. A strong Animal Health Act will help us to ensure we have the best plan possible. The new legislation should also support our ongoing efforts to expand markets for B.C. beef by offering consumers in Canada and abroad the assurance that their beef is being raised to the highest of standards."

Learn More:

The legislative process for Bill 37, The Animal Health Amendment Act, can be followed at: http://www.leg.bc.ca/39th4th/votes/bills-list_hansard.htm

A backgrounder follows.

Contact:

Sharon Dean
Communications Manager
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1674

BACKGROUNDER

April 30, 2012 Ministry of Agriculture

Measures to improve food and consumer safety

Proposed changes to the Animal Health Act will enable the Province to:

• Bring B.C.'s legislation into harmony with other provinces and trading partners, and provide increased assurances about the safety and traceability of B.C. animals and products.
• Improve the early detection of animal diseases by working with animal producers to implement expanded monitoring programs.
• Clearly state the process producers must follow in the event they identify a disease that has been designated as having significant consequences for animal or human health.
• Take immediate, effective and direct action to investigate animal disease outbreaks and if necessary, act on an emergency basis with expedited procedures.
• Introduce surveillance zones, and actions that must be taken within them, to monitor areas around a quarantine zone.
• Require producers to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading disease, ensure employees are trained to prevent and respond to disease, maintain records of animal origin and movement, abide by inspector's orders, and report any incidents of disease or unusual illness.
• Increase disease control measures such as restricting the movement or sale of animals, food products and animal by-products such as wool or hides derived from them.
• Cleary define the role and powers inspectors have regarding the enforcement of the act, regulations, conditions of licences and permits, and orders.
• Increase the maximum penalty under the act from $2,000 to $75,000 and create an administrative penalty system for less serious contraventions.

Contact:

Sharon Dean
Communications Manager
Ministry of Agriculture
250 356-1674

B.C. Fairs and exhibitions are a great place for families to connect with experienced farmers, meet young 4-H club members with a passion for food and farming, or experience the thrills and excitement of the rides and midways. Fairs around B.C. also offer events like wagon rides, cow-milking demonstrations, lumberjack games, performing pets, skateboarding exhibitions, fireworks and concerts.

B.C.'s fairs are a great place to explore the wide range of local foods and to meet and connect with the people who grow and make them. Visitors can sample the fresh foods of local farms, enjoy the high-quality products of the region's food artisans and experience the newest and the next food trends. Many of B.C.'s food entrepreneurs begin their journey of success with a booth at a local fair.

The guide profiles fairs throughout B.C. - including the Haida Gwaii, North, Cariboo, Kootenays, Okanagan, Lower Mainland and Vancouver and the Gulf Islands. Complimentary printed copies are available at more than 300 visitor information offices, on BC Ferries routes, at BCAA travel offices, and the Vancouver International Airport. The guide is also available through: www.bcfairs.ca

Quotes:

Minister of Agriculture Don McRae -

"A trip to the fair often leads to lifelong memories of excitement, fresh foods and petting zoos. B.C.'s fairs also offer the chance to share the connection between local food and people, and celebrate the unique spirit and pride of each of our communities."

B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions president Leah Hryko -

"We are very proud of the 2012 Guide to BC Fairs and Exhibitions; our full-colour magazine is free to the public and provides in-depth information about the wonderful agricultural fairs and community festivals taking place around our province."

"This unique publication also features stories about our industry partners and highlights events that are celebrating a milestone anniversary."

Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA) executive director Candice Appleby -

"B.C. Fairs provide the opportunity for companies to showcase their products and collaborate to create value that extends beyond the individual business."

"Our members' high-quality products can be found at community fairs, local retailers, farmers markets, farm-gate venues and on the menus of many restaurants throughout the province.

"The SSFPA advocates that adding value to primary agriculture products provides for local employment, local taxes and resilient communities."

Quick Facts:

• About 1.6 million people visit a B.C. fair each year, and thousands of British Columbians volunteer at them.
• The first fairs of 2012 are in May, and include:
• Quesnel Spring Fling Fair, May 6
• Silver City Days, Trail, May 8-13
• Rutland May Days, Kelowna, May 17-20
• Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, May 18-21

• The guide also includes short profiles on fairs celebrating their 100th birthday in Prince George and Aldergrove.
• The oldest fair in B.C. and Western Canada is in Saanich at 145 years.
• Quesnel's Spring Fling is B.C.'s newest fair, with the inaugural event this year.

• B.C. agri-food producers and processors generated $10.5 billion in revenues in 2011, and directly employed more than 61,000 people. B.C.'s Agrifoods Strategy details a plan for the industry to grow to $14 billion a year by 2017.

Learn More at:

The 2012 Guide to B.C. Fairs and Exhibitions is also available through: http://bcfairs.ca

A schedule of fairs in B.C. is at: http://bcfairs.ca/2012-FAIR-SCHEDULE-page-154.html

Small Scale Food Processors Association: www.ssfpa.net

B.C. Agrifoods Strategy is available at:

http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/agrifoodsstrategy.html

Media Contacts:

Sharon Dean
Ministry of Agriculture
250 580-6456

Janine Saw
B.C. Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions
778-574-4082

Candice Appleby
Small Scale Food Processors Association
1 866 547-7372

Minister of Agriculture

April 25, 2012

VICTORIA - One of the critical factors in our ability to grow B.C.'s agrifoods sector to a $14-billion-a-year industry by 2017 is a solid working relationship between the governments of B.C. and Canada.

Given the global market place and shared areas of jurisdiction, a strong federal-provincial partnership is crucial to agricultural progress. The cooperative relationship will also help B.C. achieve the main goals of our Agrifoods Strategy: developing high-quality, high-value products, expanding domestic and international markets and increasing competitiveness.

In an effort to continue that constructive relationship, I just attended a conference of Canadian agriculture ministers in Gatineau, Quebec. The goal of my attendance was to ensure B.C.'s diverse agriculture sector was well represented as we near final negotiations for a new funding agreement for B.C. producers.

The agreement is a new five-year agriculture policy framework that will build on the success of the Growing Forward suite of risk management, food safety, environmental and business development programs that conclude in the spring of 2013. The current agreement has brought $553 million of funding to B.C., in a 60/40 federal provincial sharing ratio.

Following our meetings in Quebec, there was wide consensus that the new agreement, Growing Forward 2, should focus on supporting and rewarding innovation, increasing competitiveness in agriculture, building market opportunities, and supporting adaptability and sustainability.

Growing Forward 2 will build stronger connections between federal and provincial governments in order to increase market opportunities for farmers, producers and food processors. The reputation and international demand for B.C. foods as a trusted, high-quality source of nutrition results in about $2.5 billion in agrifood exports a year to about 140 countries. With record exports to China in both 2010 and 2011, and increased emphasis on building our trading relationships in Asia, the opportunities for B.C.'s food producers and processors continue to grow.

I believe farmers and producers who participated in the consultation process to date will be pleased to see their view regarding the involvement of the entire value chain has been heard, and will likely form part of the agreement. At the Gatineau meeting we agreed to further industry consultations with the goal of signing the Growing Forward 2 agreement in September and to have the new framework in place by this time next year.

With much of the discussions focused on expanding market opportunities, federal and provincial agriculture ministers jointly reiterated our support for liberalized trade arrangements. We agreed creating new trading blocs will benefit farming and food producing families but that these negotiations should clearly maintain our support for Canada's supply management system.

British Columbian food producers and communities are well positioned to benefit from our province's strong relationships with the federal government and trading partners around the world. By working together and continuing our emphasis on high quality products, new markets, and industry competitiveness, producers and processors will continue to invest in an agrifoods sector that employs more than 61,000 British Columbians, and directly contributes to the social, health and economic benefits of us all.

The funds will be used by the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets to help implement their 2011-16 strategic plan to ensure a network of 125 markets throughout the province continue to connect British Columbians with farmers and food producers. The number of farmers markets in B.C. has more than doubled since 2000. This rapid growth has played a leading role in promoting awareness and support for eating local foods.

While some markets run year-round, most begin or increase activity with the milder weather and new spring produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables, locally raised meats, sustainably caught seafood, artisan cheeses, jams, sauces, honey and even dog treats are examples of products commonly sold at markets. B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets vendors make, bake or grow their products and only producers and their families are permitted to sell at their markets.

The Ministry of Agriculture recently launched B.C.'s Agrifoods Strategy as part of the BC Jobs Plan. The strategy sets out a five-year action plan to promote local food and farming, the growth of B.C's high-quality, high-value food products, and the expansion of both domestic and international markets.

Quotes:

Agriculture Minister Don McRae -

"B.C. farmers' markets are one of the best advocates of the local food movement and a great place for large and small food entrepreneurs to grow their agri-businesses. Across B.C., from Hudson Hope to the Comox Valley, vendors and visitors alike celebrate local food and agriculture. This year's grant supports our Agrifoods Strategy commitment to promote local food and expand domestic markets."

B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets executive director Elizabeth Quinn -

"The funding is terrific news and will help us implement our strategic plan. By strengthening farmers' markets and supporting local farmers, we help make healthy local food available to British Columbian families and children, so B.C. foods are on B.C. plates."

Quick Facts:

• In 2006, B.C. farmers' markets contributed an estimated $118 million to B.C.'s economy. As the number of markets has increased since then, so likely has their economic contribution.
• B.C. is Canada's most diverse agricultural province, producing more than 200 different commodities on nearly 20,000 farms.
• Produce at farmers markets is often picked the same day as it is sold.
• More than 61,000 British Columbians work in the agrifoods sector, and contributed to the $10.5-billion worth of products grown or made in B.C. in 2011.
• The Province also provided a $75,000 grant for the implementation of the B.C. Association of Farmers' Markets 2011-2016 strategic plan in 2011.

Learn More:

To find a farmers market in your area, visit: http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org

To find out what produce is in season, visit: http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/inseason.htm

The BCAFM's strategic plan is posted at:

http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org/ind/pdf/farmers-market-sector-strategic-plan-2011-2016.pdf

The Strategy behind B.C. Agrifoods sector growing from $10.5 billion to $14 billion: http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/agrifoodsstrategy.html

Follow all things related to B.C. foods and agriculture at: http://www.facebook.com/FoodsBC

Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Public Affairs Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693

Elizabeth Quinn
Executive Director
BC Association of Farmers' Markets
604 734-9797

This funding is in addition to a $3-million expansion announced in May 2011, and will help support the expansion of the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program to include more public and First Nations schools across the province. It is expected that an additional 75 schools will join the program by September 2012, and a further 75 schools will join by January 2013, benefitting up to 27,000 more children each year. This would bring the total participating schools to 1,484.

The program will also continue to support schools that wish to purchase fridges and provide salad bars, as ways of offering fresh fruit and vegetables in the school. Additionally, the funding will enable the program to explore new models for increasing children's and families' access to fresh, local fruit and vegetables.

The objective of the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program is to increase students' knowledge of, preference for and consumption of, fruits and vegetables. The program provides B.C.-grown fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to children in all grades and is available to most of B.C.'s public and First Nations schools.

The Program was created in partnership with the Ministries of Health, Agriculture, and Education and is led by the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing B.C.'s agriculture to students.

The BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program promotes B.C.-grown produce, and distributors include the Overwaitea Food Group, Saputo Dairy Products Canada, Dynamex Couriers, Bayview Market and Papason Trucking Ltd.

Quotes:

Minister of Health Michael de Jong -

"Chronic diseases represent a massive burden on the health system, and children and youth are not immune. Since 2005, this program has introduced tens of thousands of B.C. children to a variety of fresh, local fruits and vegetables. By increasing knowledge and consumption of locally grown produce, this program helps develop healthy eating habits that will benefit the health of our youngest citizens in the long term."

Education Minister George Abbott -

"This investment builds on our commitment to offer increased access to fresh fruits and vegetable snacks for students in B.C.'s public and First Nations schools. Studies have shown that children who eat healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, are more attentive and able to focus on their studies. This program is just one of the initiatives in place to support the health and well being of B.C. school children."

Agriculture Minister Don McRae -

"This program works directly with local growers and distributors to bring fresh B.C. products to the students, right in the classroom. It is great that students are also learning that eating fresh, local products supports B.C. farmers and the economies of our rural regions."

Lindsay Babineau, executive director, BC Agriculture in the Classroom -

"Thanks to this program students from across the Province are now learning how important it is to make fruits and vegetables a part of their regular diet - both at school and at home. This additional funding will support the expansion of the program to ensure that we can reach more schools and more children."

Quick Facts:

• Every year, the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program provides B.C. school kids with 6.3 million servings of fruit and vegetables from 817 growers from right across the province.
• Fruits and vegetables that may be included in the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program include plums, blueberries, apples, tomatoes and carrots.
• Since 2005, the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program has expanded from 10 pilot schools to 1,334 schools, including 1,278 public schools and 56 First Nations schools.
• Every other week more than 433,000 students across all grades receive fresh fruit and vegetable snacks.

Learn More:

Interested in learning more about the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Nutritional Program? Please visit: http://www.aitc.ca/bc/

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)

Kathryn Hardy
Communications
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693

"B.C. Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth" is a five-year strategic plan based upon three priorities:

• Promoting B.C.'s high-quality and high-value products.
• Expanding both domestic and international markets.
• Enhancing industry competitiveness.

The agrifoods sector has great potential for growth and offers exciting opportunities to inject new dollars into the B.C. economy. The strategy builds on the 2008-11 BC Agriculture Plan, guiding the further development of B.C.'s agrifoods sector with a goal of increasing industry revenues from the current $10.5 billion a year to $14 billion annually by 2017.

Highlights of "B.C. Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth" include:

• Promoting local foods and strengthening the domestic market through the interactive online initiative, Foods BC.
• Achieving full traceability for B.C. livestock and seafood, to enhance British Columbia's global reputation for safe, secure food production.
• Expanding international markets for beef, berries, seafood and wine.
• Reviewing regulatory and taxation levels.

Over the next five years, the agrifoods strategy will also support industry innovation, address the sector's labour market needs and ensure a sustainable land base for production.

B.C. has a competitive advantage over many other jurisdictions because of its worldwide reputation for producing safe, high-quality and high-value food products. As Canada's gateway to the Pacific, B.C. can leverage this advantage to access existing markets in the U.S. and Europe, as well as developing markets in Asia.

Quotes:

Premier Christy Clark -

"The agrifoods sector is critical to B.C.'s future. Our new agrifoods strategy will target economic growth and development which, in turn, will lead to increased jobs. We envision an innovative, adaptive, globally competitive sector valued by all British Columbians."

Minister of Agriculture Don McRae -

"2011 was a very successful, profitable year for many B.C. farm families. And with the BC Jobs Plan focusing on increased trade and market development, particularly in Asia, we expect that trend to continue through 2012, bringing new dollars and new jobs to our communities."

B.C. Agriculture Council chair Garnet Etsell -

"With the initiatives planned or currently underway, the agrifoods strategy helps to move the agriculture sector in the right direction. We support steps that the government takes to improve B.C.'s competitiveness, and encourage continued policy improvements to ensure a viable and sustainable industry."

Restaurant 62 executive chef Jeff Massey, Abbotsford -

"My philosophy has always been to create and maintain a menu where the food is locally inspired and ingredient-driven. The agrifoods strategy will encourage agricultural growth in the Fraser Valley and in other communities across B.C. That's good for our economy and our health."

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has the most diverse agrifoods industry in Canada, producing more than 200 agriculture commodities and 100 seafood species.
• Agrifoods currently employ over 61,000 people, and 14 per cent of the provincial manufacturing workforce.
• Approximately 50 per cent of the foods British Columbians eat are grown locally in B.C.
• The Province has more than 1,400 food-processing businesses, producing a variety of foods and beverages ranging from fruit juices and artisan beers to specialty pet foods and wild botanicals.
• B.C. exports over $2.5 billion in agrifoods products to 135 countries worldwide.

Learn More:

B.C. Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth:

http://www.gov.bc.ca/agri/agrifoodsstrategy.html

FoodsBC Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/FoodsBC

We want to hear from you. Please share your ideas at: BCJobsPlan.ca

Two backgrounders follow.

Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Communications
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693

BACKGROUNDER 1

Agrifoods strategy highlights

In 2010, B.C. producers generated over $716 million in farm sales from the production of over 50 different types of fruits and vegetables.

B.C.'s Agrifoods Sector has significant potential for expansion because of its strategic Pacific Rim location, a strong transportation and communication infrastructure, established supporting industries, abundant natural resources, and a diversified agrifoods base.

Promoting local foods and strengthening the domestic market through the interactive online initiative, Foods BC

• To help promote B.C. foods, the Province is developing a new interactive initiative to encourage retailers, chefs and consumers to buy more local agrifoods products.
• Promoting local foods and strengthening the domestic market through the interactive online initiative, Foods BC. For the first time, B.C. will now have a single, centralized source for up-to-date information on fresh, local food products along with select sector information, recipes, health information and events.
• A FoodsBC Facebook page was launched in early January, serving as the hub for other types of social media.
• A FoodsBC Twitter account shares information with a much broader audience and directs followers to the Foods BC site each time new content is added.
• The Province will be working with industry stakeholders to further develop domestic marketing programs.

Achieving full traceability for B.C. livestock and seafood, to enhance British Columbia's global reputation for safe, secure food production

• The Province is committing to support an integrated national traceability system, in partnership with federal agencies.
• The Province will implement a premise identification system to support traceability for livestock and poultry and a pilot program for B.C. seafood.
• Premise identification links livestock and poultry to their geographic locations for planning and managing emergencies.

Expand international markets for beef, berries, seafood and wine

• B.C. is Canada's largest producer of blueberries, raspberries and sweet cherries by volume.
• In 2010, B.C. exported $2.5 billion worth of food to 135 countries.
• As part of the strategy, the Province will increase promotion of B.C. exports abroad and work with producers to help them enter or expand their international markets.
• The BC Seafood Market Exchange links buyers from around the world directly with B.C. seafood companies. Developed by the Province in partnership with the B.C. Seafood Alliance, the exchange is currently expanding to support further growth and market development.
• B.C. produces enough wine each year to fill nearly 15 million bottles. To help expand domestic and international wine markets, the Province will investigate co-marketing opportunities between sectors (e.g. seafood and wine).

Reviewing regulatory and taxation levels

• The Province will establish a competitiveness committee made up of sector leaders and government to determine new ways to make the B.C. agrifoods sector more competitive, focusing on identifying and addressing barriers.
• It will also establish a mechanism to measure profitability and set a target, which the Province and industry will work together to achieve.
• The Province will also aim to provide relief for farm property tax by reviewing farm assessment policies.
• Over the next year, the government will undertake a comprehensive review of the carbon tax and its impact on British Columbians. The review will cover all aspects of the carbon tax, including revenue neutrality, and will consider the impact on the competitiveness of B.C. businesses such as the agricultural sector, and in particular, B.C. food producers.

Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Communications
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693

BACKGROUNDER 2

Public weighs in on agrifoods sector

Through the BCJobsPlan.ca website, the public has shared suggestions about ways to improve British Columbia's agrifoods industry. Below are examples of the online dialogue. (Both the suggestions and responses have been edited for length.)

Suggestion:

"BC potentially has the natural resources to be a leader in jet biofuels (including) algae."

From Vi; also echoed by Victor - Mainland/Southwest

Response:

"Agriculture is advancing innovative solutions to agricultural waste management challenges, supporting the sector's participation in energy and carbon efficiency, and promoting the development of renewable energy and bioproducts.

"In the past six months, the Ministry has been involved in a number of activities that support emerging biofuels opportunities including:

• Review of alternative crops for B.C. including energy and multiple use crops;
• Building on a 2009 feasibility study for algae production in B.C., ongoing efforts have been made to support algae research, development and deployment;
• Supporting workshops for producers on Carbon Sequestration and Credits in Agriculture which included a presentation on algae production;
• Collaborating with Metro Vancouver to assess potential for algae production using waste water from treatment plants; and,
• Exploring opportunities with the federal government's National Research Council for an algae production pilot project in B.C."

Suggestion:

"I would like some government support and opportunity to create a sustainable organic farm producing food for the island community."

From Kimberley - Vancouver Island/Coast; echoed by Kristy

Response:

"The organics industry is one of several sectors that are being supported by the actions in the Agrifoods Strategy. As part of this strategy, the province will enhance organic market access by promoting value chain development for the organics sector.

The Province also recognizes that new farmers need assistance to strengthen their businesses, create jobs and support economic growth. The ministry is exploring a number of activities to support new farmers to be successful. These include:

• Providing expert advice, tools and information to support farm succession planning, new farmers, business growth and diversification.
• Examining the feasibility of setting up a farmlink program connecting farmers to under-utilized land in their communities.
• Provide relief for farm property tax by reviewing farm assessment policies."

Suggestion:

"Revise meat processing regulations and trade rules to allow for economical abattoir operations in the province of B.C., rather than squeezing B.C. processors out of the market and exporting those jobs to Alberta."

From Jillian - Nechako

Response:

"All abattoir operators that sell products within B.C., but not outside provincial boundaries, must be provincially licensed under BC's Meat Inspection Regulation, administered by the Ministry of Health.

In the spring of 2010, the B.C. Government requested a review of the meat inspection system in provincially licensed Class A and B abattoirs. At present, the Class A and B plants are inspected by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), under contract with the BC Centre for Disease Control. The CFIA has notified the B.C. Government that it will no longer provide meat inspection services after December 31, 2013. Therefore, B.C. is developing a provincially operated meat inspection system to replace the role of the CFIA by this date.

The Ministry of Health established a steering committee in 2010 to develop a report with options for a new provincial meat inspection system. This process, entitled the B.C. Abattoir Inspection System Review, was a collaborative effort of the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Food Processors Association. Maintaining or improving food safety, industry support, livestock health and welfare, and cost efficiency were key objectives for a new provincial meat inspection system.

A strong provincial meat inspection system will support BC's farming and meat industry jobs, particularly in rural B.C.

As a follow-up to the report, the ministries of Agriculture and Health are leading a consultation process with the B.C. meat industry and other stakeholders to gather implementation advice on the report's recommendations and options. Consultations will help inform the development and execution of a new provincial meat inspection system.

Details on the consultation process are posted on both the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture websites. Along with the consultations, written submissions can be forwarded until April 30th."

We want to hear from you. Please share your ideas at: www.BCJobsPlan.ca

Specifically, what action can you take to inspire people to buy BC food?

Contact:

Kathryn Hardy
Communications
Ministry of Agriculture
250 387-1693