Message from the Minister and
Accountability Statement

I am pleased to present the 2005/06 Annual Service Plan Report for the Agricultural Land Commission. Over the past year, the Commission continued the difficult task of preserving the province's limited agricultural land in the face of constant pressure to convert agricultural land to other forms of land use.

One of the key challenges we face is ensuring the productivity of the highest value lands. Community and economic growth around the province places incredible pressure on the Agricultural Land Reserve, and the Commission has done an exceptional job in withstanding those pressures.

The agriculture industry is vitally important to B.C. and the preservation and sustainable use of the agricultural land base continues to be a government priority. I intend to work with the Agricultural Land Commission chair and other stakeholders to explore opportunities to further protect our agricultural land.

The 2005/06 Agricultural Land Commission Annual Service Plan Report compares the actual results to the expected results identified in the Commission's 2005/06 - 2007/08 Service Plan Update. I am accountable for those results as reported.

Honourable Pat Bell
Minister of Agriculture and Lands

June 30, 2006