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