The Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) is undergoing changes that will benefit the Cariboo-Chilcotin, according to local MLA Donna Barnett.
It will see the establishment of two zones in British Columbia, one for areas where prime agriculture land is under pressure by urban growth, and the other for areas with shorter growing seasons that have less arable land and lower demands for property.
During her previous years in local government, Barnett says she frequently saw rezoning applications turned down that would have allowed better uses for land with poor soil, rocky terrain, and no water to irrigate with.
"There were people who had pieces of land that you couldn't grow anything on, [and they] wanted to maybe subdivide a little bit off to help them."
Sometimes it isn't true "agriculture" land, Barnett explains, and there are opportunities and a need for something else – whether commercial, industrial or residential.
The ALC legislation is 40 years old and has needed changes for a long time, she says.
"Look at all the land in the Lower Mainland that is good agricultural land that has houses on it – that doesn't make sense."
Barnett says the provincial government has promised the ALC will continue to operate independently, and the fertile lands will remain protected.
Regional panels will be implemented as a key part of the decision-making process and local governments will be involved earlier, she adds.
However, the NDP says Bill 24 will break apart the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR), removing protections from 90 per cent of British Columbia farmland and putting it at risk of industrial development at the discretion of unaccountable B.C. Liberal appointees.
However, Barnett says that is "an irresponsible statement."
There are a lot of responsible people in the province, whether they belong to one political party or another, or none at all, she notes.
"This will be an opportunity to choose people who understand agriculture land."
She adds the act provides the tools to put the rest of it in place, but the regulations are not released yet to see the details of how this will roll out.
"There is no intention of breaking up the [ALR]. In essence, I think this will strengthen [protection] of the land that is good agricultural land.
"None of us want to split up our grasslands or our [vegetable] growing land."
Ranch lands are "very important" to the Cariboo and they will be preserved, she says.
Barnett notes the changes will also offer more flexibility and viability to farmers and ranchers to allow for more value-added and home-based businesses, such adding set of cabins for agri-tourism or a farm products store.
"If you have agri-tourism and you are promoting ranching, [it is] a great opportunity for a rancher who decides to make a few extra dollars."
This also allows young people from urban areas to get out and see the "great quality of life" in a ranching vocation, as well as a better idea of where their food comes from, she explains.