Farm properties usually must meet certain criteria to receive the classification
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
The B.C. government is waiving farm classification requirements for the second year to help the industry continue its recovery from the pandemic.
Typically, properties in the province must meet certain criteria to maintain farm status.
These criteria include generating a minimum amount of gross revenue from qualifying ag use based on the size of the parcel of land.
Waiving these requirements means farmers can continue to raise food without worrying about losing farm classifications or an increase in property taxes in 2022.
“We’re helping farmers maintain their farm status by waiving income requirements for a second straight year,” Selina Robinson, minister of finance, said in a June 14 statement. “Our government will continue to be responsive in our targeted COVID-19 supports for people and businesses, so we can build the foundation of a strong recovery.”
B.C. has approximately 19,000 qualifying farm properties for the 2021 property tax year.
The provincial government first waived the requirements in 2020 as part of the COVID recovery.
The government estimates this action helped more than 400 farms maintain their farm status.
“By maintaining this change for another year, we are letting B.C. farmers know that we have their back, so they can continue to focus on providing their amazing and delicious products we all enjoy,” said Lana Popham, B.C.s minister of agriculture, food and fisheries.
Farms.com has contacted members of the B.C. ag community for comment.