Published: August 26, 2008 1:00 PM
Invermere Valley Echo
Brook Peterson, Reporter
MLA for Nelson-Creston, Corky Evans, will arrive in Invermere on Sept. 8 to meet and talk with local farmers as a part of his B.C. agricultural tour.
The discussion, which will be held at David Thompson Secondary School, is open to local farmers and the concerned public. It will cover issues such as the current state of agriculture in B.C., and concerns of others about the importance of supporting farmers, farmland, and local food supply.
Evans will be going into detail on a variety of issues, including why people are so dissatisfied with the current state of the province's Agricultural Plan, and skyrocketing prices for fuel and feed with below-average market prices. He will also discuss the government’s new meat regulations, which are proving difficult for producers to meet its never-ending regulatory changes, and demands to bring back the “Buy B.C.” brand. Evans will also touch base on the province's new Agricultural Plan, of which he said “the Assessment Authority appears to want to change the rules on what a farm is and use tax law to force farmland onto the market for development.”
Columbia Valley Food Action (CVFA) spokesperson Lin Steedman, said the meeting was a chance for the community to be informed and aware of food security and action in the Columbia Valley.
“We believe community education around important issues, such as our food supply, land preservation in our community, and supporting other local farmers, are essential,” she said. “CVFA is hosting the event and we encourage everyone in the food chain; farmer, grocer, trucker, restaurateur, chef, resort owner, food and beverage manager and all of us who eat, to attend and join in the discussion.”
Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Norm Macdonald will also be there to speak with concerned residents. The discussion will be held in the DTSS theatre from 7-9 p.m.