Letter to Minister Popham – ALR Food Processing Regulations

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September 1 7 , 2026
Via email: AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca
Honourable Lana Popham
Minister of Agriculture and Food
PO Box 9012 Stn Prov. Govt.
Victoria BC V8M 9L6
Dear Minister Popham:
Re: New Regulation Encouraging More Food Processing in Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR)
I am writing on behalf of Islands Trust Council to communicate our support for the concerns raised
by the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) regarding the Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s
proposed regulatory changes to encourage additional food processing w ithin the Agricultural Land
Reserve (ALR).
Islands Trust Council recognizes the importance of agriculture, local food production , and food
security in the Islands Trust Area. Farmland and farming activities also contribute to the distinct
character and economic resilience of island communities. At the same time, the Islands Trust Area
encompasses more than 450 islands and includes c ommunities with very different land - use,
servicing , and infrastructure circumstances. Local trust committees and island municipalities
therefore need sufficient tools to determine whether particular land uses are appropriate in
particular locations.
Of particular concern is the proposed five percent rule and the apparent limitation it would place
on a local trust committee/island municipality ’s ability to prohibit food processing that meets the
requirements of the rule. As UBCM has noted, local governments /Islands Trust bodies may need to
further regulate food - processing activities based on local land - use considerations, including
adjacent uses, setbacks , and the capacity of existing infrastructure. There may also be
circumstances within the Islands Tr ust Area where these local factors make a particular parcel
unsuitable for more intensive food processing.
Islands Trust Council therefore supports UBCM’s request that local governments/Islands Trust
bodies retain the ability to prohibit and/or further regulate food - processing uses in the ALR.
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Minister of Agriculture and Food
September 17, 2026
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This ability is important to ensure that provincial agricultural policy can be implemented in a
manner that recognizes local circumstances and existing community planning frameworks.
Islands Trust Council also shares UBCM’s concerns regarding the enforcement and capacity
implications of the proposed changes. Complaints regarding food - processing activities may come
directly to local governments /Islands Trust , particularly where local governments /Islands Trust
have adopted additional regulations. The Province is encouraged to more closely consider the
financial, administrative , and enforcement

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