DELTA CHAMBER RECOGNIZES AGRITECH AS KEY SECTOR FOR PROVINCIAL FOOD SECURITY & FUTURE GROWTH

The Delta Chamber of Commerce has gained support from business organizations across the province in its work to promote the establishment and development of British Columbia as a global leader in the agriculture technology (agritech) sector.

Over this past weekend, a Delta Chamber policy resolution entitled INVESTING IN BC’S GROWING AGRITECH SECTOR was adopted at the B.C. Chamber of Commerce virtual AGM. As a result, the resolution will now become part of the provincial chamber’s advocacy agenda with the provincial government.

​The resolution includes recommendations on how the provincial government can ensure food security and a reliable local supply chain and consumer base for food and beverages in B.C. through specific action steps; consistent with the recommendations outlined in The Future of B.C.’s Food Systems report.

“By harnessing the innovative thinking and technological advancements we see in our private sector and by working in partnership with the best minds in agriculture, Delta will be on the forefront in ensuring a strong and vibrant economy,” said Yvonne Anderson, Chair of the Board of the Delta Chamber.

“Delta is already playing a key role in developing the agri-tech that will allow our province to be an agricultural world leader,” said Ravi Kahlon, MLA, Delta North in a March 6th, 2020 column on agritech in the North Delta Reporter. “Helping farmers, addressing climate change and increasing food production are top priorities for our government, and Delta can continue to build on the momentum we have created to drive the success of the agriculture sector in our province.”

The Delta Chamber of Commerce is encouraged that there is bipartisan support for the need to recognize the importance of supporting our farmers through innovation, education, policy development which will sustain and enhance our agricultural lands and maintain our efforts to mitigate climate change.

“Now is the time to consider bold ideas rooted in new technological developments,” explained Delta-South MLA and local farmer, Ian Paton, in an April 23rd, 2020 column in the Delta Optimist. “Recently, B.C.’s new Food Security Taskforce recommended a certain amount of ALR land be set aside specifically for agricultural-industrial use. This will be critical if B.C. is to bolster our packing and processing industries, as well as to provide local cold-storage facilities to help keep produce fresh, retain its value, and increase its shelf life.”

“We thank our fellow B.C. Chambers for their support in this policy resolution and were encouraged to have full endorsement of it by our network. This level of support shows us that the matter of food security and the key role of developing agritech solutions is not only key for communities like ours here in Delta, but for many others across B.C.” said Garry Shearer, Executive Director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce. “We’re calling on the provincial government to support the innovation pathway of the growing agritech sector through taking action on these recommendations.”

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The BC Chamber of Commerce is the largest and most broadly-based business organization in British Columbia. Representing more than 125 Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade, and 36,000 businesses of every size, sector and region of the province, the BC Chamber of Commerce is The Voice of Business in B.C.

Categories: Policy, BC Chamber of Commerce