This situation in the province has created urban-rural conflicts, whether it be competition for the land base, nuisance complaints with respect to farming practices, too restrictive planning for theft of crops or increased flooding of farmlands from adjacent urban development. The reasons why conflicts develop are varied but are too often the result of the non-farming population just not full appreciating normal farming practices involved in food production nor understanding that the agricultural areas basically constitute the only work place where the farmer and his or her family can produce our food. Most British Columbians no longer have the opportunity for direct contact with a farm or with the farm community. As a result, their views about farming may often be based on more traditional concepts of rolling green fields and idyllic life-styles. Although this still exists, the reality of farming is often very different.
Farms today range in size from small, moderate, to very large modern business operations.
These operations generate income for rural families, put millions of dollars and thousands of jobs annually into the local economy, provide high quality, affordable food for people, and contribute to the health and well being of British Columbians. Like all businesses, farms require a significant commitment of resources and expertise from their owners. The loss of any provinces' essential farmlands and the failure to protect the farmers from continual conflict situations will continually erode the confidence of the producer to continue to farm. Maintaining our agricultural land base and farmers protects not only our own food supply for the present and future generations, but also aids our farmers to compete in the international market. British Columbia has recognized this challenge and has responded with some world leading legislation and programs for the sustainability of agriculture in the province.