The Regional District of Bulkley Nechako Rural/Agricultural committee discussed the expansion of B.C. Vegetable Marketing Commission鈥檚 regulated area throughout the province which could hurt small producers and food banks.

On Feb. 2, the British Columbia Vegetable Marketing Commission issued a press release to inform the board that all vegetables grown in the province are now under the commission鈥檚 authority.

B.C. Vegetable Marketing Commission states that producers who use innovative agricultural technologies such as greenhouses and vertical farming are subject to the commission鈥檚 authority and must be licensed to grow or process market-regulated vegetable products.

According to the commission, a producer is someone who has farmed and produced one tonne or more vegetables in the past 12 months. A commercial producer is someone who grows regulated products on a farm with a gross value of $5,000 or more. It is important to note that if a person produces less than one tonne of regulated vegetables, they do not meet the producer criteria and are not required to be licensed.

The regulated area was expanded as of Jan. 1, taking into account the changes in agricultural practices and the impact of climate change. This decision was made due to the growing use of controlled environment structures in agriculture.

Megan D鈥橝rcy, RDBN regional agriculture coordinator, did not feel the policy was properly clarified. D鈥橝rcy said the public are asking for clarity on this policy and how it will affect them.

She believes this was more geared toward the larger Fraser Valley Regional District producers.

Mark Parker, director of RDBN Fraser Lake, said it would be best to talk to vegetable growers already covered by this policy.

Shirley Moon, RDBN Vanderhoof director, pointed out that the policy鈥檚 language was unclear. She found the policy misleading because it differentiated between commercial and non-commercial vegetables grown within the province, while it is addressed to all producers.

Granisle Mayor Linda McGuire said her community started a community garden initiative. There will be 100 garden beds, offering vegetables to the community and will also be sold to local businesses. She had concerns that this policy will impact the initiative.

Clint Lambert, RDBN Rural/Agricultural committee chairperson finds this policy ridiculous. 鈥淲e are here with the government in our pockets again,鈥� Lambert said. He had concerns that this would impact local food banks such as The Link.

Scott Zayac, The Link executive director, said the food bank is aware of these new regulations and looking into how it will impact the garden and greenhouse.

鈥淲e are hoping the new regulations are not difficult and take too much administrative time,鈥� Zayac said.

Zayac added that the food bank had plans on expanding opportunities for their clients, production and working with teachers to bring more school children into the space for an educational learning experience.