Why keep land in the ALR?

The following is copied from the ALC website.

While the ALR was originally set up to preserve the limited agricultural land resource in BC, it provides a variety of values and benefits to farmers and ranchers and other communities of interest.

Farmer/Landowner Benefits

• Permitted activities with limited local government involvement
• Land base for growing export products
  Provides a stable land base for agricultural businesses
• Protection under the Farm Practices Protection Act (FFPA)
  Value added activities for expanding and enriching
  agricultural income
• Secure land base for inter-generational transfer and farm succession
  Tax benefits

Community Benefits

• Jobs (direct and secondary)
• Limits urban water runoff
  Safeguards local food capacity
• Acts as an urban containment boundary
  Preserves land base for the business of agriculture
• Provides land base for growing of agricultural export products
  Maintains rural character and lifestyle
• Provides for a pastoral environment

Environmental Benefits

• Provides green space
• Bird and waterfowl habitat
  Wildlife habitat
• Supports biodiversity
  Soil conservation and erosion control
• Retain excess water
  Parks and protected areas
• Reduce transportation-associated emissions

Health Benefits

• Open land recreational opportunities
• Healthy local food supply