Planting the seeds for a sustainable future - City of Kamloops

Dam inspection obligations;Environmental planning requirements;Added costs with the 'go organic' direction;Certification costs; andMeat inspection costs.3. Farm AssessmentThis process through the BC Assessment Authority attempts to separaterural residential property holders and hobby farms from part-time andcommercial farms who are realizing an income from their farm. Therequired income to qualify for 'farm assessment' is very low and based ona formula used by the BC Assessment Authority. Any agricultural benefitsthat may include fees, taxes and preferential water rates should onlyapply to those with legitimate farm assessment.4. Labor as a Cost of Production IssueThe farms that have sourced Mexicanlabourers are typically larger farms. Theremay be ways that local government andprovincial agencies can support their needswith regulatory issues such as approvals forhousing and accommodation and workingconditions.Most commodities like beef, sheep and horticulture are more prone to market swings and the resulting impacts on farm income.Labour is a major factor in the cost of production and many farmers cannot always find local help at the rate they can afford topay. A few farms in the region have turned to lower cost seasonal laborers from Mexico.5. Zoning and By-lawsHighPriorityThere are regulations and costs associated with such things as secondary homes and seasonal housing, road-side farm standssecondary uses of agricultural land, rezoning, noise bylaws, use of firearms for predator control, pesticide use, and air qualityand burning restrictions. Local farmers should be able to operate on a level playing field with their counterparts in othercommunities and Regional Districts. Expanding permitted uses in agricultural zones should also be considered to increase theviability of agriculture.CITY OF KAMLOOPS 52