Farm Practices Complaints Administration

Fiscal Year 2005/06

BACKGROUND:

• Fifty formal complaints have been received in the BC Farm Industry Review Board's (the "FIRB") first ten years of farm practices operation. The majority of complaints are filed on behalf of more than one person, with over 500 different neighbours represented in the complaints filed to date. These numbers can be attributed to increasing urban encroachment into farming areas; however, the changing nature of farming is also a factor.  The increased size of farms, new types of farming (such as large-scale greenhouses and fish farms) and the diversification of farm operations to include on-farm processing and direct marketing can have a greater and broader impact on their neighbourhoods.
   
• Eight formal complaints were filed in 05/06.  With carryovers, a total of 20 complaints were administered. Two were resolved by settlement, 11 were heard/decided, 3 are heard and pending decision, 2 are scheduled to be heard, 2 are in the initial stages.
   
• The settlement process continues to be the most effective method of resolving these disputes between neighbours. However, the increasing sensitivity, volatility and complexity of these interest-based disputes, along with their potential broader impact on both the farming and non-farming communities, raise issues which are sometimes best heard and decided by a FIRB hearing panel.

 Updated January 30, 2006