Pitt Meadows Agricultural Plan to be updated after 22 years

After 22 years, an initial report for the Pitt Meadows Agricultural Plan was presented to the council on Tuesday.

Implemented in 2000, the plan is set to be updated to ensure it meets with new legislation, regulations and policies.

Read: Mayor Nicole MacDonald reflects on having a seat at the table

“How we manage and protect [the land] will have a long-term impact of, not only viability of our farming community, but also on our local food security, ability to respond and help mitigate climate change impacts,” said Michelle Baski, project manager for Agriculture and Environment.

There are 6,900 hectares of agricultural land in Pitt Meadows. Approximately 61 per cent of the Agricultural Land Reserve has farm status while 30 per cent has non-farm status because of its location on steep slopes and in wetlands, according to the report. Another nine per cent is defined as “un-farmed land,” according to the report.

Funding to update the plan including consultation fees and engagement costs is $80,000 which was approved on December 13, 2022, by council.

The plan will not only “serve as a long-term strategic plan to meet the needs of the producers, growers, and the community” but it will also provide a direction to support a resilient and sustainable agriculture sector, according to the report.

A draft agricultural plan is anticipated by June 2023 after consultations with the public through online surveys, open-house discussions and engagement events.

The final plan is expected to be ready by the end of 2023.