Friends of the Family Farm Meet in the Old Church in Smithers

A group of concerned citizens calling itself Friends of the Family Farm met at the Old Church in Smithers, BC on Saturday, October 27 to discuss the future of the family farm in the wake of provincial legislation aimed at eliminating "Farm Gate" sales and uninspected abbatoir (slaughtering) operations.

The group, composed of market gardeners, livestock producers, human rights advocates, abbatoir operators, consumers and advocates of personal freedom are concerned that such a restrictive approach to commerce between neighbours will limit their ability to purchase food for their families from trusted local sources. Additional concerns focused on exorbitant costs and liabilities with farmers being forced to invest unrealistic amounts of money into equipment, transportation and staffing. These costs are seen as prohibitive to new producers and discouraging to those currently in the business. The group sees a reduction in local production as inevitable unless the current legislation is modified.

A cheerful and cooperative atmosphere accompanied the meeting and as it was noted, the participants came from a diversity of philosophical backgrounds and experience. The shared concerns highlighted the broad-based ideals of personal freedom, enterpreneurial indepedence and the health and well-being of the family .

After covering the issue from a variety of angles, the group agreed to pursue a cohesive thrust by helping to form a network with other organizations with similar objectives and concerns which have sprung up around the province. The group plans to encourage the provincial government to include limits of scale in the legislation, ensuring public safety in the large-scale operations which provide food for most BC urban dwellers while incorporating the freedom of consumers to purchase locally-grown meat and produce from trusted sources. The farm-gate sale of produce has not been legislated but attendees agreed that if meat regulations were allowed to stand, the regulation and mandatory inspection of green leafy vegetables would not be far behind.

Members of the public who wish to support this initiative to preserve consumer choice and protect the small-scale family farm are encouraged to contact Rod Taylor (847-3990) in Smithers. Letters to your MLA are also in order. A website will soon be established and educational materials will be made available. It is expected that once the public understands the implications of this legislation, widespread opposition will be evident in both urban and rural areas because of the loss of consumer choice.