ASSET MAP FOR BC’S AGRI-FOOD SECTOR

GENOME BRITISH COLUMBIA

Vision

Genomics will revolutionize many aspects of our lives and provide solutions to humankind’s

challenges.

Mission

Genome British Columbia leads academia, government and industry in the growth of a

world-class genomics R&D cluster to deliver sustainable social and economic benefits to

British Columbia, Canada and beyond, through:

‒ Excellent projects and technology platforms,

‒ Innovative applications for the life sciences cluster,

‒ Strategic regional, national & international collaborations, and

‒ Proactive leadership in exploring societal impacts of genomics.

 

Genomics is the science that aims to decipher and understand the entire genetic information of an organism (i.e. microorganisms, plants, animals and humans) encoded in DNA and corresponding complements such as RNA, proteins and

metabolites.

The knowledge and innovations emerging from this field are finding solutions to complex biological challenges, while at the same time raising questions of societal

and economic importance.

Genomics has already brought huge economic and societal gains to Canadians through better healthcare, improving food quality, safety and production and

protecting our environment and natural resources.

Looking ahead, genomics will be the foundation of Canada's growing bio-economy (all economic activity derived from life science-based research), which is estimated to be responsible for some 2.25 per cent of GDP, or about $38 billion, by

2017.

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Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW ............................................... 2

Key assets of BC’s agri-food economy .................................... 2

Agricultural resources ................................................ 2

Infrastructure ........................................................ 2

Scientific resources .................................................. 2

Business .............................................................. 3

BC’s Agri-food in Perspective ........................................... 3

INTRODUCTION ..................................................... 3

BC SECTOR ASSETS ................................................. 5

Agricultural Land Reserve ............................................. 5

Primary Production Highlights ......................................... 6

Food Processing and Manufacturing Highlights .......................... 9

Marketing Boards ...................................................... 9

Industry Support Associations ........................................ 11

Investment ............................................................. 14

Industry Development Trust Funds ..................................... 14

Agri-food Industry Research Funds .................................... 16

Research Funding Programs ............................................ 19

Research Infrastructure ................................................ 20

Research Institutions ................................................ 20

Support Facilities ................................................... 25

Researchers and Expertise ............................................ 26

Training ............................................................. 27

Plant, Animal and Human Health ......................................... 27

Provincial Government Plant and Animal Health Branch ................. 27

BC Centre for Disease Control ........................................ 28

Canadian Food Inspection Agency ...................................... 28

Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health) ............................... 28

Professional Support Organizations ..................................... 28

British Columbia Institute of Agrologists ............................ 28

British Columbia Food Technologists .................................. 29

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia ......................... 29

Animal Health Technologists Association of British Columbia .......... 29

OPPORTUNITIES ................................................... 29

Appendix 1: BC Researchers and areas of expertise/interest ...... 31

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EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

In British Columbia agriculture is influenced by topography, climate and day length. Even though

BC is the second largest province by land mass these geographic differences influence the

amount and types of foods that can be produced in the 8 agricultural regions. Of the 925

thousand Km2 land area in the province less than 5% is suitable for crops and horticulture.

Consequently, the agriculture sector is diverse with 20 thousand farms producing over 200

commodities. In addition, more than 1,400 manufacturers produce a large variety of food and

beverages for the province’s growing population. BC’s agri-food sector creates close to 61

thousand jobs and $11.3 billion in economic activity1. There is interest at all levels of government

in all regions of the province to maintain a vital agri-food sector and to use these agricultural

resources to become more competitive and sustainable. This can be achieved by mobilizing BC’s

world-class plant, animal and food science technology infrastructure assets.

Recognizing and understanding these assets is at the heart of developing innovations to improve

the productivity and sustainability of the sector and to secure economic and social benefits for

BC. This report provides a map of the agri-food assets related to production and processing of

BC’s agri-food resources that may benefit from specific and targeted investment in genomic and

related technologies.

Key assets of BC’s agri-food economy

Agricultural resources

Provincial Agricultural Land Commission is dedicated to protecting the scarce supply of

agricultural land

Nearly 20,000 farms2

Total area of farms is 2.6 million hectares (26 thousand Km2)3

Total area protected in the ALR is 4.6 million hectares (46 thousand km2)4

Food diversity with greater than 200 commodities5

Infrastructure

Six universities and one technology institute with relevant research and training programs

Federal research centres located in key agricultural growing areas in BC

Provincial plant and animal diagnostic laboratories

Scientific resources

Considerable strength in agri-food research with over eighty researchers

Internationally recognized genomic, proteomic and metabolomic innovation centres

1 Ministry of Agriculture – BC Agrifoods Innovation Strategy, July 2013 2 Statistics Canada. Table 004-0001 - Census of Agriculture, number and area of farms and farmland area by tenure, Canada and provinces, every 5 years (number unless otherwise noted), CANSIM (database). (Accessed: 2014-02-06) 3 Statistics Canada. Table 004-0001 - Census of Agriculture, number and area of farms and farmland area by tenure, Canada and provinces, every 5 years (number unless otherwise noted), CANSIM (database). (Accessed: 2014-02-06) 4 http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/publications/2012-13%20ALC_Annual%20Report_Final.pdf 5 BC Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth

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Reference genomes generated for several plant and animal commodities

Potential for provincial, national and international collaborations

Business

A Ministry focused on agriculture and agri-food.

Proximity to North American and Asian markets

More than 40 dedicated industry associations

Diverse funding sources for applied and translational research in BC including the Growing

Forward 2 bilateral agreement between the Government of Canada and the Province of

British Columbia

Significant investment in agri-food research provincially and nationally

Opportunity to develop partnerships with industry, business and government

BC’s Agri-food in Perspective

The industry is impacted by weather conditions, fluctuations in global demand and world prices

for agriculture products, and growth in the food processing and services industries. Over the past

decade, the production process has become more complex, adapting to new consumer

demands, advanced technology, North American integration and globalization. The high volatility

in commodity markets and exchange rates has increased uncertainty, while the emergence of

major competitors such as China and Brazil has added to the challenges of competing in global

markets including changes through Canada/Europe free trade agreement and potential future

international bilateral agreements.

INTRODUCTION

The aboriginal peoples of BC were the first inhabitants to harvest the abundant flora and fauna

present in nature thousands of years before the first arrival of European settlers. Through

hunting, gathering and the transformation of nature’s bounty they were able to use the land as a

source of food, medicines and useful domestic products important for their health, cultural and

community wellbeing6. In the 100 years following the arrival of Captain Cook's Discovery and

Resolution ships on the Pacific shores of North America, much of the early economic activity of

the early Europeans settlers focused on fur trade and later gold extraction7. The demographics

of the coastal territory changed after BC joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871. The

dramatic increase immigration in subsequent years led to the development of the agriculture

sector and its increased importance to the provincial economy8.

6 Ministry of Agriculture - History of Agriculture in British Columbai (http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/aboutind/history.htm) 7 First Nations – Confederation to Present (http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/exhibits/timemach/galler07/frames/confed.htm) 8 Ministry of Agriculture – History of Agriculture in British Columbia (http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/aboutind/history.htm)

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Canada is the second largest country in the world (~9,9M Km2) and fourth overall in total land

area (~9M Km2) 9,10,11. Seven percent of the land is suitable for agriculture while 5% is arable

land12. BC’s 925 thousand Km2 land area makes it the second largest province in Canada behind

Québec and ahead of Ontario13. However, less than 4.7% is arable land suitable for crop and

horticultural production. Total agricultural land climbs to 30% of BC’s land base if grazing or

pastureland is included14. BC provides 4% of the total arable land base in Canada15.

The food industry focuses on activities from farm to fork. There are three sectors or ‘activities’

specific to the food industry. The primary sector focuses on activities related to agricultural

production, the secondary sector involves food related manufacturing and the tertiary sector

includes businesses related to the transportation, wholesale & retail distribution and food

services. In BC, agriculture, aquaculture & fisheries and food processing make up the agri-food

sector as defined by the Ministry of Agriculture16,17.

These three sectors benefit from BC’s arable land assets and water resources. In addition, the

industry has access to world leading institutions and infrastructure, strong regional presence of

agricultural expertise and the development of considerable agri-food support associations in the

province. Given current research and extension activities around the province, these sector

assets are well positioned to benefit from recent advances made in genomics and related

technologies during the past decade. These assets are important in BC’s agri-food ‘value chain’:

those interlinked activities and assets that make it possible to realize a range of community,

social and economic and cultural benefits from BC’s land based resources (Figure 1).

The current mapping effort focuses on understanding the purpose and importance of BC’s assets

along the full continuum of the agri-food value chain. It will assist Genome BC in securing the

right partnerships and investments to assist in the development of next generation innovations

that will lead to increased productivity and sustainability in the sector. This report describes the

assets related to the research, investment and partnerships or inputs within the value chain that

benefit from BC’s land and water resources. In addition to the assets associated with traditional

farm food production and food manufacturing this report considers assets associated with

nurseries & floriculture, greenhouse production and the development of value-added health

products (e.g. nutraceuticals or pharmaceuticals). It also considers professional associations,

9 Excluding inland water bodies (lakes, reservoirs, rivers) 10 Statistics Canada. Land and freshwater area, by province and territory. 2005-02-01 (accessed February 11, 2014) 11 Statistics Canada. Food in Canada (http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/16-201-x/2009000/t230-eng.htm) 12 Arable land: land that can be used for growing crops 13 Note that the Nunavut and Northwest Territories have the largest dry land areas in Canada 14 Critical Issues Bulletin. Fraser Institute Environmental Indicators 4th Edition. Laura Jones, Laura Griggs and Liv Fredricksen 15 2011 Census of Agriculture: British Columbia Highlights. BC Ministry of Agriculture (http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/stats/). Accessed February 15, 2014 16 A separate asset map focuses on BC’s fisheries and aquaculture sector has been prepared by Genome BC. 17 Note that this agri-food sector map focuses on agriculture and food processing. Other sub-sector like wholesale, retail, food and beverage services may be included at a later date

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provincial and federal organizations focused on plant, animal and human health and ensure that

the food produced in BC is the highest quality.

BC SECTOR ASSETS

Agricultural Land Reserve

A sustainable and competitive agri-food sector that provides food for local and international

markets requires access to quality, arable land. In 2006, the Ministry of Agriculture

commissioned an informational study that assessed total food production and food self-reliance

for the province18. When food consumed in BC was compared to farm gate production in BC the

level of food self-reliance was 56% but declined to 48% when food not grown in BC was included

in the calculation19. With current demographic trends, one scenario of future population growth

forecasts that there will be 6 million citizens in the province by 203520. This is approximately a

30% increase from today’s levels. It is expected that similar to the past 140 years the additional

1.6 million British Columbians will settle in cities and regions that are adjacent to prime

agricultural land21. This will place additional pressures to maintain current levels of food security

and even increase production by an additional 160 thousand hectares of which irrigated

farmland will need to increase by 92 thousand hectares22. This will only add to the challenge of

enabling farmers to maintain or increase food production at time when tensions already exist at

18 B.C.’s Food Self-Reliance – Can B.C.’s Farmers Feed our Growing Population? B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands 19 The self-reliance estimates increase for products produce in BC from 56% to 61% and total food from 48% to 53% when BC fish ans aquaculture are included in the calculation 20 British Columbia Population Projections: 2013 to 2036 by BC Stats – 2013. Accessed February 18, 2014 21 British Columbia Agriculture – 2015: Looking Ahead the Next Twenty-five Years by Provincial Agricultural land Commission. Accessed February 18, 2014 22 B.C.’s Food Self-Reliance – Can B.C.’s Farmers Feed our Growing Population? B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

Research Investment Partnerships

High-quality, High-value products

Domestic and

International markets Competitiveness

Input

Value

Chain

Impact

Farm

Production

Food Processing

Food Wholesale

Food Retail

Food Services

Primary Secondary Tertiary

Figure 1. BC’s Agri-foods Value Chain

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the interface between agriculture and suburban (agriburban) regions where the majority of

agriculture is practiced.

In 1973, the Department of Agriculture established a methodology to inventory the amount of

arable land remaining in BC for agricultural production23. This was in response to the impact a

rapidly increasing population and accelerated urban development was having on prime

agricultural land (up to 6,000 hectares lost per year in the late seventies)24. This led to the

government introducing Land Commission Act on April 18, 197325. An independent Provincial

Agricultural Land Commission was created to develop a land use zone in cooperation with local

governments to preserve agricultural land and enable farming activities. Topography, climate

conditions and varied soils meant that less than 5% (47 million hectares or 47 thousand Km2) of

the province’s land area essential for agriculture could be protected for future generations. Up

to 30% of the provinces land mass can be used for agriculture when land pasturelands are

included. Protected farmland can range in size from a small, few hectare size parcel to larger

sections that cover thousands of hectares.

In BC, all arable land has been mapped and classified according to the potential to support a

range of agricultural crops or forage26,27. The classification describes seven land capability and

limitation classes for agriculture. The most amenable lands identified as Classes I-IV have been

placed for management and conservation in the ALR and have a range of capabilities. Class I

land has no or only slight limitations that restrict its use for the production of common

agricultural crops whereas Class IV land has limitations that require special management

practices or severely restrict the range of crops or both. Foraging and natural grazing are best

suited for crops grown on Class VI, which has limitations that restrict its capability to produce

perennial forage crops and/or uncultivated perennial forage crops. Land in Class VII has no

capabilities for arable or sustained natural grazing.

Primary Production Highlights

Agriculture is practiced in all regions of the province28 while having particular economic

significance in the smaller, rural communities. Figure 2 indicates the 8 regions identified by the

23 Runka, G.G. 1973. Methodology – Land Capability for Agriculture – British Columbia Land Inventory (CLI), Soil Survey Division, British Columbia Department of Agriculture. Kelowna, B.C. 25 pp 24 How the ALR was established (http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/alr/Establishing_the_ALR.htm). Accessed February 15, 2014 25 History of the ALR (http://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/publications/Alr_history.htm). Accessed February 16, 2014 26 Runka, G.G. 1973. Methodology – Land Capability for Agriculture – British Columbia Land Inventory (CLI), Soil Survey Division, British Columbia Department of Agriculture. Kelowna, B.C. 25 pp 27 Kenk, E. and I. Cotic. April, 1983. Land Capability Classification for Agriculture in British Columbia. MOE Manual 1. Surveys and Resource Mapping Branch, Ministry of Envirnoment and Soils Branch, Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Kelowna, B.C. 68 pp. 28 The 8 regions identified by the Ministry of Agriculture include: North Coast (borders the Pacific Ocean and the Alaska Panhandle and includes the Queen Charlotte Islands), Nechako (includes Buckley Valley, Vanderhoof, central BC north of Prince George to Yukon border), Peace River North East, Vancouver Island-Coast (includes Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast, mainland coast from Powell River to Bella Coola), Cariboo-Central, Mainland-South Coast (Fraser Valley and environs, south coast, Squamish and Lillooet River Valleys), Thompson-Okanagan and Kootenay.

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Ministry of Agriculture. It is comprised of primary production from farmers, growers and

ranchers29,30. Only 3% of the provincial land base of 89 million hectares is used for food

production31. Climate and geography have a major influence on what can be produced in BC’s

farming communities. Important variations in soil, water availability, length of growing season

and overwintering conditions influence the variety of primary agriculture that can be exploited in

any given region. Consequently, BC’s agriculture is uniquely defined by its agricultural diversity

with over 200 commodities produced in 8 distinct geographical regions.

Figure 2. Eight Agricultural regions in BC

There are approximately 20 thousand farms in BC32. The majority of farms are family operated33

with only 2% managed as corporations. Even so, the sector produced $2.6 billion in farm gate

receipts34. Unlike trends in the rest of Canada there was little consolidation since the last census

in 2006; the average size and number has remained unchanged for the past 40 years. Seventy-

five percent of farms had gross farm receipts up to $50,000 and over 50% of farms generated

29 Sector Snapshot: B.C. Agriculture – 2012, Ministry of Agriculture – Statistics and Research, August 2013. Access February 18, 2014 30 Agriculture does not include food processing, fisheries or aquaculture. 31 http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/stats/Sectors/SectorSnapshot2012.pdf. Accessed February 17, 2014. 32 2011 Census of Agriculture: British Columbia Highlights. 33 Family farms include sole proprietorships plus partnerships plus family corporation farms. 34 Sector Snapshot: B.C. Agriculture – 2012, Ministry of Agriculture – Statistics and Research, August 2013. Access February 18, 2014.

Peace River North East

Nechako

North

Coast

Cariboo-

Central

Thompson-

Okanagan Kootenay

Mainland-

South Coast

Vancouver Island-Coast

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under $10,000 in cash receipts. Only about one tenth of farms in BC reported having gross farm

receipts greater than $500,000.

The provincial agriculture industry is composed of three major activities: crop production; animal

production; and related support activities.

Crop production includes oilseeds, grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, greenhouse, nursery and

vines. Of the total farmland in BC nearly 62% is dedicated to pasture35, 23 % to cropland36 and

14% to other farm use37,38. Although horticulture is practiced through the province there are

specific regional strengths. The Lower Mainland-Southwest region of the province has the largest

number of farms in the province. A variety of crops including field and greenhouse vegetables,

floriculture, nursery, mushrooms and berries are grown on the rich soils of the Fraser River delta.

A similar mix of crop production is grown in the cool and humid region of Vancouver Island-

Coast. Vineyards and tree fruits are well suited for the Thompson-Okanagan region warmer

temperatures and irrigation capabilities. The Peace River region is the grain basket of the

province and shares a similar topography to the Northern Alberta prairies. It produces a

significant share of BC’s grain and oilseed, producing wheat, canola, barley and hay & fodder

crops for livestock. Over half of BC’s Christmas trees are produced in the Kootenay region.

Animal production is the process of raising cattle, hog, poultry and other animals for generating

meat, eggs, dairy products and fur. It also includes apiculture. Examples of related support

activities are seed supply companies, harvesting, and any services related to raising livestock

such as feed supply, breeding/reproduction, veterinary care and laboratory services. Dairy

production is the largest commodity in BC accounting for 19% of farm receipts39. Although dairy

herds are located throughout the province the largest producing regions include Lower-

Mainland-Southwest, Thompson-Okanagan and Vancouver Island-Coast. The poultry livestock

and egg production sectors, which contributed 15% of farm gate receipts, is largely located in

Mainland-South Coast, Vancouver Island-Coast, Thompson-Okanagan regions. Cattle ranching

operations located in the Peace River North East, Nechako and Thompson-Okanagan regions

have experienced a dramatic 38% decline from 2006-2011 following the discovering of a single

case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in Alberta40. Close to one thousand six

hundred farms throughout BC stopped beef cattle farming as a result of the boarder closure with

the US and in compensation appeared to switch to growing hay.

35 Pastureland includes tame or seeded pasture (9%) and natural land for pasture or grazing (53%). 36 Cropland includes hay and field crops, fruit, field vegetables and sod and nursery products. 37 Other farmland includes woodland, wetlands and Christmas tree areas, as well as idle land, and land on which farm buildings, barnyards, lanes, home gardens, greenhouses and mushroom houses are located. 38 2011 Census of Agriculture: British Columbia Highlights. BC Ministry of Agriculture (http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/stats/). Accessed February 15, 2014 39 http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/stats/YinReview/Agrifood-YIR-2012.pdf. Accessed February 18, 2014. 40 2011 Census of Agriculture: British Columbia Highlights.

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Food Processing and Manufacturing Highlights

Food processing involves a series of steps that transforms agricultural food produced by farmers

into food products for consumers. Horticultural crops, grains and livestock undergo a series of

processes that prepare them for packaging or preserving such as canning or freezing. This may

also include the special processing methods Halal or kosher. Food manufacturing involves the

transformation of food products and ingredients into value added, finished products.

The small, medium and large food processors that make up the 1,400 manufacturers in the food,

beverage and nutriceutical/health product processing industry employs 18% of the workforce

making it the largest manufacturing sector in the province. Ninety percent of the industry

consists of small and medium size processors with less than 100 employees but it also includes

several large national and multinational firms. The food processing and manufacturing industry

is located close to the food production regions in the province. The Mainland-South Coast has

the largest concentration of food processing and manufacturing companies serving the Greater

Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Dairy, berries and poultry are major processed foods.

Vancouver Island-Coast region leads in fisheries and aquaculture processing while the

Thompson-Okanagan is the recognized leader in wine and fruit juice production.

Marketing Boards

The Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act41,42 is a government-legislated system that provides for

the orderly production and marketing of certain agricultural commodities. Agricultural

commodity Boards or Commissions, with government-appointed chairs, regulate each of the

sectors. Regulated marketing is intended to ensure a fair return for producers and a safe,

continuous supply of product for consumers. The BC Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) is an

independent administrative tribunal43,44. The BCFIRB responsible for general supervision of the

operations of these boards and serves as an appellant body and is a signatory to federal

provincial agreements for the supply-managed commodities.

Presently, the government has approved 8 Boards and Commissions under the Act. There are 5

commodities that operate in a supply management framework for price, import or production in

BC. Sectors that are regulated both at provincial and federal level including broiler table eggs,

hatching eggs, cow milk, chicken and turkey. The pork, vegetable and cranberry commissions are

not regulated under a system of supply management. Table 1 has a complete list of the

commodity boards and commissions.

41 http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/00_96330_01 (accessed February 22, 2014) 42 http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/polleg/regulatedmrkt/ (accessed February 22, 2014) 43 http://www.firb.gov.bc.ca/ (accessed February 21, 2014) 44 Administrative tribunals are an alternative to the courts and provide a less formal and more efficient system for resolving disputes in a timely way. Tribunals resolve disputes independent of government. They use specialized expertise to deliver relevant, impartial decisions. For more information about tribunals, see AdminLawBC.ca.

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Table 1: BC Agriculture Marketing Boards

Organizations Website Purpose

BC Farm Industry Review

Board (BCFIRB)

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/p

olleg/regulatedmrkt/

http://www.firb.gov.bc.ca/

THE BCFIRB is an independent administrative

tribunal responsible for:

1) general supervision of agricultural

commodity boards;

2) being a signatory to formal federal-

provincial cooperation agreements in

regulated marketing;

3) hearing appeals of agricultural commodity

board decisions;

4) hearing appeals of Minister of Agriculture

decisions to refuse, suspend, revoke or not

renew agricultural produce grading licenses;

5) hearing appeals related to BCSPCA animal

custody decisions;

6) hearing farm practices complaints from

persons disturbed by odour, noise, dust or

other disturbances arising from agriculture or

certain aquaculture operations; and,

7) conducting farm practices studies

BC Broiler Hatching Egg

Commission

http://www.bcbhec.com/in

dex.asp?pgid=1

The BC Broiler Hatching Egg Commission

oversees the production activities of BC

broiler hatching egg producers and regulates

the marketing of their product.

BC Chicken Marketing

Board

http://www.bcchicken.ca/

The BC Chicken Marketing Board monitors

and regulates the production of chicken in

British Columbia. This includes all activities

from the time the chick hatches until the

chicken arrives at the processing plant.

British Columbia Egg

Marketing Board (BCEMB)

http://www.bcegg.com/

The BCEMB’s principal service is to administer

the national supply management system for

eggs in British Columbia.

BC Milk Marketing Board http://bcmilkmarketing.wor

ldsecuresystems.com/

The British Columbia Milk Marketing Board

has the authority to promote, control and

regulate the production, transportation,

packing, storing and marketing of milk, fluid

milk and manufactured milk products within

British Columbia.

BC Turkey Marketing

Board

http://www.bcturkey.com/a

bout/our-board.aspx

The British Columbia Turkey Marketing Board

has the authority to regulate the production

of all turkey grown for either meat or eggs in

British Columbia.

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BC Pork Marketing

Commission

http://bcpork.ca/

The commission is vested with the power in

the Province to promote, control and regulate

in any respect the marketing of the regulated

product.

BC Cranberry Marketing

Commission

http://www.bccranberries.c

om/default.html

The BC Cranberry Marketing Commission

regulates in any and all respects, the

transportation, processing, packing, storage

and marketing of any variety of cranberries

grown in the province of British Columbia.

BC Vegetable Marketing

Commission

http://www.bcveg.com/ind

ex.asp

The BC Vegetable Marketing Commission

provides for orderly marketing in the

vegetable industry. The regulated

components include greenhouse vegetable

crops, processing vegetable crops and

storage crops

Industry Support Associations

The interests of the agri-food sector are supported by a number of producer associations

including organizations focused on grain and oil seed, fruit, vegetable, nuts, livestock and bees.

Several of these producer associations may represent a number of other regionally based sector

organizations located throughout the province. The Small Scale Food Processors Association and

the Food processors Association of BC represent the food processing and manufacturing

industry. Both these industry associations have a broad based membership and individual

companies can be access through their web portal or by contacting them directly. Table 2

provides a list of associations from the production and processing sectors.

Table 2: Agri-food Industry Associations operating in BC

Association Website Subsector

BC Agriculture

Council

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/ Agriculture

BC Egg Producers'

Association

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/member-associations/bc-egg-

producers’-association

Livestock

BC Poultry

Association http://www.bcac.bc.ca/member-associations/bc-

poultry-association

Livestock

BC Turkey

Association http://www.bcturkey.com/about/our-association.aspx

Livestock

BC Broiler Hatching

Egg Producers'

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/member-associations/bc-

broiler-hatching-egg-producers-0

Livestock

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Association

BC Chicken Growers'

Association http://bcchicken.ca/index.php/about-bc-chicken/bc-

chicken-growers-association/

Livestock

BC Cattlemen's

Association http://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/ Livestock

BC Dairy Association http://bcdairy.ca/

Livestock

BC Association of

Cattle Feeders http://www.bcacf.com/index.html

Livestock

BC Angus Association http://www.bcangus.ca/index.htm

Livestock

BC Breeders and

Feeders Association http://www.bcbfa.ca/

Livestock

BC Pork Producers

Association http://bcpork.ca/producers/bc-pork/

Livestock

BC Goat Association http://www.bcgoat.ca/ Livestock

BC Llama and Alpaca

Association

http://www.bclaa.com/ Livestock

BC Forage Council http://www.farmwest.com/

Livestock

Peace River Forage

Association of British

Columbia

http://www.peaceforage.bc.ca/ Livestock

Peace River Forage

Seed Association http://www.peaceforageseed.ca/ Livestock

Pacific Field Corn

Association

http://www.farmwest.com/node/1004

Livestock

BC Milk Producers

Association http://bcdairy.ca/dairyfarmers/

Livestock

BC Sheep Federation http://www.bcsheepfed.com/

Livestock

BC Purebred Sheep

Breeders Association http://www.bcsheep.com/index.htm Livestock

British Columbia

Bison Association http://www.bcbuffalo.ca/ Livestock

Horse Council of

British Columbia http://www.hcbc.ca/

Livestock

British Columbia

Honey Producers

Association

http://www.bcbeekeepers.com/

Bees

British Columbia Bee http://bcbba.bcbeekeepers.com/ Bees

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Breeders Association

Honeybee Centre http://www.honeybeecentre.com/

Bees

BC Grain Producers

Association http://www.bcgrain.com/

Grain

BC Tree Fruits

Industry Limited http://www.bctree.com

Fruit

BC Cherry Association http://www.bccherry.com/

Fruit

BC Fruit Growers

Association http://www.bcfga.com/index.php

Fruit

BC Tree Fruits

Cooperative http://www.bctree.com/

Fruit

Okanagan Plant

Improvement

Corporation (PICO)

http://www.picocorp.com/

Fruit

Growers Supply

Company Limited http://www.growers-supply-co.com/

Fruit

Okanagan-Kootenay

Sterile Insect Release

Program

http://www.oksir.org/default.asp Fruit

British Columbia

Grape growers

Association

http://www.grapegrowers.bc.ca/

Fruit

BC Wine Grape

Council http://www.bcwgc.org/

Fruit

BC Greenhouse

Growers Association http://www.bcgreenhouse.ca/

Vegetables

BC Potato &

Vegetable Growers'

Association

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/member-associations/bc-

potato-vegetable-growers-association

Vegetables

Fraser Valley Cole

Crop Growers'

Association

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/member-associations/fraser-

valley-cole-crop-growers-association

Vegetables

Fraser Valley Peas,

Bush Beans and Corn

Growers Association

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/member-associations/fraser-

valley-peas-bush-beans-and-corn-growers-

association

Vegetables

Vancouver Island

Produce http://www.vancouverislandproduce.com/

Vegetables/Fruits

BC Produce

Marketing

http://bcpma.com/

Vegetables/Fruits

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

14

Association

Lower Mainland

Horticulture

Improvement

Association

http://productionguide.agrifoodbc.ca

Vegetables/Fruits

BC Hazelnut

Association http://www.agriguide.ca/organization/bc-hazelnut-

association

Nuts

Small Scale Food

Processor Association http://www.ssfpa.net/

Processor

BC Food Processors

Association http://www.bcfpa.ca/home

Processor

BC Association of

Abattoirs http://bcabattoirs.org/

Processor

BC Wine Institute http://www.winebc.org/

Beverage

Wine Islands Growers

Association

http://wiga.ca/

Beverage

British Columbia Food

Safety Stakeholders

Group

http://www.bcfpa.net/SubPages/BCFSSG/BCFSSG.htm

Agri-food

BC Food Protection

Association

http://www.bcfpa.net/ Agri-food

BC Landscape and

Nursery Association http://bclna.com/

Nursery

Investment

Industry Development Trust Funds

The purpose of the Industry Development Trust Funds is to allow specific agricultural sectors to

lead, manage and finance their economic development through an independent trustee45. The

goal is to promote partnerships through shared matching funding with other organizations with

similar interests in strengthening and growing the sector. The industry sector establishes

specific priorities for funding to individuals or organizations, which are not commercial entities,

to perform projects that will benefit the industry sector. Funding criteria focus on industry

viability, profitability, market assessment, education, technology and development etc. Table 3

lists the 10 trust funds with a combined value $16 million.

Table 3: Industry Development Trust Funds

45 http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/indcomp/ind_dev_pgm.htm (accessed February 22, 2014)

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

15

Program Name Website Trust Administrator

Beef Cattle Industry http://www.cattlefund.net/de

fault.htm

http://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/

check-off.htm

The Cattle Industry Development Council (CIDC)

is a group of producer volunteers elected by

industry organizations to administer the CIDC

check-off, the Beef Cattle Industry Development

Fund (BCIDF) and the Horn Levy Fund (HLF).

The Horn Levy of

British Columbia

http://www.cattlefund.net/ho

rns.htm

Funds collected under the Horn Levy are

designated for projects that demonstrate a

benefit to the cattle industry of BC.

Beef Cattle Industry

Development Fund

http://www.cattlefund.net/bc

idf.htm

"The mission statement about managing the

fund is to manage the Beef Cattle Industry

Development Fund in a way that will effectively

enhance the profitability, viability, sustainability

of the beef cattle industry in British Columbia for

the short, medium and long term.

Blueberry Industry BC Blueberry Council

Hog Industry http://bcpork.ca/producers/b

c-pork/hidf/

The industry development fund was established

in 1995 with industry and provincial government

funds to: fund hog environmental management

projects, and fund market development projects

approved for funding by the association

Peace River

Agriculture

Development (PRAD)

http://www.bcpeace.com/Pra

d1/

The fund was established by the Government of

British Columbia in 1997 through a contribution

of $1,200,000.00 to promote the agriculture

industry in the Peace River area of B. C.

Potato Industry BC Potato and Vegetable Growers Association

Processing Vegetable

Industry

BC Vegetable Marketing Commission

Raspberry Industry Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement

Association

Sheep Industry BC Sheep Federation

Strawberry Industry

Development Fund

http://www.bcstrawberries.c

om/

Fraser Valley Strawberry Growers Association

Tree Fruit Industry

Development Fund

http://www.bcfga.com/180/T

ree+Fruit+Industry+Develop

ment+Fund

BC Fruit Growers associations is charged with

overseeing the funding for projects that secure

the revitalization of the industry.

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

16

Agri-food Industry Research Funds

There are organizations in BC that support the agri-food sector to become a vibrant, vital and

sustainable industry. Several industry associations have developed fund raising mechanisms

such as establishing trusts, endowments or check-offs, royalties on commercial rights to secure

funding to further the development their sector. BC Agricultural Research & Development

Corporation (ARDCorp) and Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC both administer and deliver

several third party and government-funded programs that benefit the agri-food sector in BC.

Table 4 shows a list of organizations with funds available for industry development.

Table 4: Agri-food Industry Research Funds

Program Name Website Description

BC Agriculture Research &

Development Corporation

(ARDCorp)

http://www.bcac.bc.ca/

ardcorp/about

ARDCorp is the wholly owned subsidiary of the

BC Agriculture Council (BCAC). ARDCorp leads

innovation and delivers resources to improve

the long-term profitability of BC farmers and

ranchers.

Current programs: Agriculture Labour

Information; Agriculture Environment and

Wildlife Fund; Agriculture Environment Initiative;

BC Farm Animal Care Council; Biodiversity; Buy

Local, Climate Action Program; Environmental

Farm Plan Program; On-Farm Food Safety

Program (OFFSP) Implementation; Renewable

Agri-Energy; Seasonal Agriculture Work Program

(SAWP) and Traceability Adoption Program.

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

17

Investment Agriculture

Foundation of British

Columbia

http://www.iafbc.ca/ind

ex.htm

The Investment Agriculture Foundation of British

Columbia was established in 1996 as an

industry-led, not-for-profit organization to invest

in projects that enable the BC agri-food industry

to innovate, proactively seize new opportunities

and deal with emerging issues. We offer a wide

range of funding programs designed to assist

the agriculture and food processing industries in

BC.

Current programs focus on animal industries

(Ranching Task Force Funding Initiative, Livestock

Waste Initiative, Poultry Biosecurity Programs)

Agriculture and Agri-Food

Canada

http://www.agr.gc.ca/e

ng/programs-and-

services/list-of-

programs-and-

services/?id=13621515

77626

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)

provides programs and services that support

innovation, sustainable farming, business

development, managing risk, trade and market

development

There are several new Federal and Provincial

programs under Growing Forward 2 (see below).

Okanagan Plant

Improvement Corporation

(PICO)

http://www.picocorp.co

m/

Okanagan Plant Improvement Corporation

(PICO) is a variety rights management company

that licenses new varieties of tree fruits and

berries domestically and internationally. PICO

has exclusive evaluation, distribution,

propagation and commercialization rights from

the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

(AAFC) for plant material developed in the apple,

cherry, berry and soft fruits breeding programs

of Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre (PARC) at

both Summerland and Agassiz, British Columbia

Canada.

PICO represents both government and private

plant breeders. On behalf of variety owners,

PICO grants rights to growers and other third

parties to propagate new varieties and produce

and sell the fruit of such varieties. In return, the

licensees pay licensing fees and royalties to

PICO, which PICO administers on behalf of the

owners.

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

18

BC Cranberry Marketing

Commission (BCCMC)

http://www.bccranberri

es.com/default.html

The BCCMC provides funding for research in

collaboration with organizations in Canada or

abroad that it determines to be beneficial to BC

growers.

BC Cherry Association http://www.bccherry.co

m/

Growers are strongly urged to join and

contribute the annual research levy to enable

the BC Cherry Association to do even more work

in the future.

Peace Region Forage Seed

Association

http://www.peaceforag

eseed.ca/levy.html

The Peace Region Forage Seed Association

established a levy on forage seed in the Peace

River area of BC and Alberta to invest in

research, development and extension activities.

Each province accounts for the money

separately but would be able to join efforts on

projects.

Lower Mainland

Horticulture Improvement

Association

No website identified

The Lower Mainland Horticultural Improvement

Association organizes the Annual Growers’ Short

Course. The funds raised from registration/

membership are primarily used for funding

agriculture research projects, which benefit

farmers on the Lower Mainland. These industry

dollars are used to leverage additional

government funding.

Dairy Industry Research

and Education Committee

http://bcdairy.ca/dairyf

armers/initiatives/direc

The BC Dairy Association actively funds research

and education projects. One of our objectives is

to facilitate, encourage and financially support

projects and programs that have been identified

by the BCDA to benefit the BC dairy industry.

Westgen Endowment Fund http://wvw.westgen.co

m/index.php/communi

ty/wef

With capitalization of $5M and an initial term of

five years, the investment returns of the WEF are

used to fund initiatives that provide producers

the tools to face challenges and capitalize on

opportunities within the livestock industry. The

fund is a vehicle to support extension efforts,

targeted research and development and other

special projects that will be of benefit to cattle

producers in western Canada.

Boone Hodgson Wilkinson

Trust Fund for Honey Bee

Education and Research

http://www.bcbeekeep

ers.com/?page_id=62

The purpose of the BHW Trust Fund is to

support education regarding honeybees and to

support apiculture research. The BHW Trust

Fund Constitution permits funding of an

undergraduate course in apiculture, the

provision a bursary or scholarship for either

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

19

undergraduates in apiculture or graduates

undertaking research in apiculture, or the

funding of research projects in apiculture based

within a College or University

Research Funding Programs

BC agri-food researchers and associations have access to a number of programs offered by

federal, provincial and non-profit organizations to advance research and knowledge in discovery,

applied and implementation and commercialization.

Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a five-year (2013-2018) policy framework for Canada's agricultural and

agri-food sector. GF2 is a $3 billion dollar investment by federal, provincial and territorial (FPT)

governments and the foundation for government agricultural programs and services. GF2

programs focus on innovation, competitiveness and market development to ensure Canadian

producers and processors have the tools and resources they need to continue to innovate and

capitalize on emerging market opportunities. In addition, an effective suite of Business Risk

Management (BRM) programs help farmers in managing risk due to severe market volatility and

disaster situations.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada administers three broad federal programs with $1 billion

under GF2 aimed at generating market-based economic growth in the agricultural sector

including AgriInnovation, AgriCompetitiveness and AgriMarketing programs. The investment

under GF2 includes $2 billion for cost-shared programs on a 60:40 basis delivered by provinces

and territories, tailored to meet regional needs. In BC, GF2 supports BC’s agrifoods sector in

three key areas: innovation, competitiveness and market development, and adaptability and

industry capacity.

Genome BC and Genome Canada both have competitive and sector driver programs in applied

and translation research focused on the use and implementation of genomic and related

technology tools to address opportunities and challenges in the agri-food sector.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) offers programs that focus on

early stage, discovery driven research while at the opposite end the National Research Council’s

Industrial Research Assistance Program works with Canadian enterprises to commercialize

research discoveries. Current funding programs are indicated in Table 5.

Table 5: Research Funding Programs

Program Name Website Focus Source

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

20

Canada Research Chairs www.chairs-chaires.gc.ca Academic research Federal

Genome BC User Partnership Program

(UPP)

www.genomebc.ca

Genome based

R&D

Non-profit

Genome BC Science Opportunity Fund

(SOF)

www.genomebc.ca

Genome based

R&D

Non-profit

Genome BC Proof of Concept

(POC)

www.genomebc.ca

Genome based

R&D

Non-profit

Genome BC Science Opportunity Fund

for Industry (SOFi)

www.genomebc.ca

Genome based

R&D

Non-profit

Genome Canada Genomic Application

Partnership Program (GAPP)

www.genomecanada.ca

Genome based

R&D

Non-profit

Genome Canada Large-Scale Applied

Research Program (LSARP)

www.genomecanada.ca

Genome based

R&D

Non-profit

Growing Forward 2 (GF2)

[Federal delivered programs]

http://www.agr.gc.ca/aip

Innovation,

competitiveness,

market

development

Federal

Growing Forward 2 (GF2)

[Provincially delivered programs]

http://www.iafbc.ca/agri-

innovation.htm

Innovation,

competitiveness,

market

development

Federal/

Provincial

Growing Forward 2 (GF2)

[Innovation and Adaptation Services

Branch]

Innovation,

competitiveness,

market

development

Federal/

Provincial

MITACs www.mitacs.ca

Students and

fellows

Federal

National Research Council (NRC)-

Industrial Research Assistance

Program (IRAP)

www.nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Firm-based

applied R&D

Federal

National Science and Engineering

Research Council (NSERC)

www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca

Basic and applied

research

Federal

Research Infrastructure

Research Institutions

The importance of agri-food biosciences sector to BC is reflected in the fact that six of the

province’s universities (University of British Columbia [UBC], University of Victoria [UVic], Simon

Fraser University [SFU], Thompson Rivers University [TRU], Kwantlan Polytecnic University [KPU],

University of the Fraser Valley [UFV]), one technical institution (B.C. Institute of Technology [BCIT])

and a federal research centre (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada [AAFC] have a focus on agri-

food research.

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

21

In addition, a number of research centres located in BC’s academic institutions provide a unique

focus and expertise in agri-food research. UBC, KPU and UFV have centres focused on food and

sustainability and agriculture-urban (agriburban) interface. There research clusters focused on

horticulture (KPU, UFV, UBC); livestock (UBC, TRU); ecology and bio-controls (TRU, KPU, UBC); and

food science (BCIT, UBC). Finally, there are centres at UBC that seek to understand economic,

regional and global issues. Details on each of these centres can be found in Table 6.

Table 6: Agri-food Research Centres in BC

Centre/Group

Name

Location Purpose Website

Natural Health

and Food Products

Research Group

British Columbia

Institute of

Technology

BCIT's Natural Health and Food Products

Research Group (NRG) addresses issues of

product quality, process improvement and

human health using basic and applied

science along with state of the art

technology. Our goal is to ensure that all

Canadians can achieve the potential health

and economic benefits offered by medicinal

plants, natural health products and the food

industry.

http://www.bcit.ca/a

ppliedresearch/nrg/

Community and

Ecosystem Ecology

Centre (CEC)

Thompson Rivers

University

The CEEC focuses on 1) multidisciplinary

research that links together botanists,

zoologists, geographers, geologists,

mathematicians, and economists, 2) a

combination of laboratory/greenhouse-

based investigations, controlled field

manipulations, and natural field monitoring

programs, 3) distinct threatened wetland

and grassland ecosystems, and 4) an

integrated, in-depth understanding of

ecological patterns and processes to

generate the most efficient database for

conservation and restoration strategies.

http://www.conserv

ationecologycentre.

org/

Bio-Controls

Research Group

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

This bio-control facility is a first for Canada

and is at the forefront of development of

new microbial biocontrol products.

http://www.kpu.ca/i

sh/bio-controls-

research

Institute for

Sustainable

Horticulture

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

Kwantlen's Institute for Sustainable

Horticulture (ISH) is a partnership of

academia with B.C.'s horticultural industries

and the community to support British

Columbia in meeting demands for a higher

level of sustainability and environmental

http://www.kpu.ca/i

sh

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

22

responsibility from horticulture, silviculture,

forestry, and urban landscapes.

Institute for

Sustainable Food

Systems

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

The Institute for Sustainable Food Systems

focuses is on regional-scale, human

intensive food systems

http://www.kpu.ca/i

sfs

Agriculture Centre

of Excellence

University of the

Fraser Valley

Animal facilities specialized in dairy, poultry,

beef, equine, swine and other livestock

species; Horticulture facilities include

specialized greenhouse, container nursery

areas, research field sites, plus field crop

facilities for both culinary and ornamental

crops.

http://www.ufv.ca/a

griculture/

Pacific Berry

Resource Centre

University of the

Fraser Valley

The broad goals of this Centre are to move

the berry industry to the leading edge of

research and education,

http://www.ufv.ca/a

griculture/pacific-

berry-resource-

centre/

Agriburban

Research Centre

University of the

Fraser Valley

Research involves documenting regional

foods in Canada, assessing environmental

threats, and examining food security

concerns at the local, regional, and national

levels.

https://www.ufv.ca/

agriburban/canada-

research-chair/

Liu Institute for

Global Issues

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

the Liu Institute conducts and facilitates

research on global issues, mobilizing

knowledge into solutions and policy. Its

current focus is on advancing sustainability,

security, and social justice: understood as

moving toward economic, social, and

environmental interactions that promote the

well-being of people in ways that are just,

equitable, and sustainable.

http://www.ligi.ubc.

ca/home.htm

Animal Welfare

Program

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

The objective of UBC Animal Welfare

Program is to improve the lives of animals

through research, education, and public

outreach

http://awp.landfood

.ubc.ca/

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

23

Bioinformatics

Centre

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

1) To build on BC’s growing reputation and

excellence as a leader in bioinformatics,

genomics and population-based approaches

to health care 2) To integrate bioinformatics

with basic biology to further the current

research excellence in other life science

sectors in the province.

http://www.bioinfor

matics.ubc.ca/

Centre for High-

Throughput

Biology

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

CHiBi is an emerging, multidisciplinary group

of investigators who develop and apply high-

throughput methods in a variety of

biological systems.

http://www.chibi.ub

c.ca/

Food Science

Group

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

The Food Science program focuses on the

biochemistry, microbiology, safety,

processing, engineering, and biotechnology

of novel and traditional food systems. Foods

Science research activities focus on ensuring

food security at the local, national, and

international level through improving

availability, wholesomeness, safety, and

nutritional quality of food.

http://www.landfoo

d.ubc.ca//research/r

esearch-groups-

and-

departments/food-

science-group

Avian Research

Centre

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

The Avian Research Centre at The University

of British Columbia will focus on leading

edge, basic and applied, avian research and

will provide an educational and learning

environment within the University. The

Avian Research Centre will liaise with other

Faculties and educational institutions,

industry, government, consumers and other

stakeholders, with the intent of building

strong community relationships and

support.

http://www.landfoo

d.ubc.ca/avian_rese

arch/index.htm

Dairy Education

and Research

Centre

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

The Dairy Education and Research Centre

and its scientists provide educational

opportunities for Canadian and international

scientists and students from universities,

colleges, schools, and industries as well as

for the general public.

http://dairycentre.la

ndfood.ubc.ca/

UBC Botanical

Garden and

Centre for Plant

Research

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

Research interests focus on plant

biodiversity, plant molecular systematics;

plant evolutionary genomics; plant gene

expression and alternative splicing.

http://www.botanic

algarden.ubc.ca/cen

tre-for-plant-

research

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

24

Food and Resource

Economics Group

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

The Food and Resource Economics group )

uses rigorous tools of economic analysis to

examine applied problems in the general

area of food markets (e.g., trade and

regulated markets, food demand analysis,

food safety and biotechnology) and the

economics of renewable resources and the

environment (e.g.,trade and the

environment, environmental policy).

http://www.landfoo

d.ubc.ca/research/r

esearch-groups-

and-

departments/food-

resource-

economics-group

Centre for

Sustainable Food

Systems (at UBC

Farm)

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

1) The Centre for Sustainable Food Systems

still retains its traditional role as a field site

for agricultural science research, the farm’s

disciplinary scope has broadened to

encompass fields ranging from applied

health, medicine, education, and

anthropology to forestry, evolutionary

biology, biodiversity, and genetics. 2)

Through a diversity of public engagement

initiatives, the UBC Farm is working to

advance dialogue on sustainable community

development that builds common ground

across age, ability, political views,

socioeconomic status, culture, belief,

ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender.

The farm values the diverse knowledge sets

and experiences that community supporters

bring to this shared site. 3) Innovative

sustainability learning is at the heart of the

Centre’s academic programming. The farm

embodies the concept of campus as a living

lab, where learners of all ages can immerse

themselves in the stewardship of a working,

productive landscape. These experiences

offer relevant, practical solutions that are

linked to some of society’s most pressing

global challenges.

http://ubcfarm.ubc.

ca/

Wine Research

Centre

University of

British Columbia

- Vancouver

The WRC's mission is to conduct pioneering

research in enology and viticulture and to

develop highly qualified human resources

with relevant scientific expertise and

enterprise who will promote the

technological advancement of the wine

industry in Canada.

http://wine.landfoo

d.ubc.ca/

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

25

Centre for Species

at Risk and

Habitat Studies

University of

British Columbia

- Kelowna

The SARAHS Institute is a consortium of UBC

Okanagan Faculty members, students,

collaborators and partner organizations

working together to advance research and

teaching in conservation and ecology. Our

underlying motivation is to increase

scientific understanding of ecological

systems from the genetic to landscape

scales and to inform management and

planning decisions that promote

environmental sustainability.

http://sarahs.ok.ubc

.ca/

Soil Microbial

Ecology Group

University of

British Columbia

- Kelowna

http://soilmicrobiale

cology.ok.ubc.ca/Gr

oup_Site/Home.htm

l

Okanagan

Sustainable

Institute

University of

British Columbia

- Kelowna

The Okanagan Sustainability Institute (OSI) is

a research-focused, partnership-based and

externally supported academic unit of UBC,

based at the Okanagan campus of the

University of British Columbia in Kelowna,

British Columbia, Canada. Our current focus

is on issues at the intersection of water,

urbanization, and rural areas. Working with

community partners, we reach across

faculties and disciplines in teams configured

to match expertise to challenges, generating

new knowledge and fresh problem-solving

approaches.

http://osi.ok.ubc.ca/

welcome.html

Support Facilities

Genome Canada and Genome BC in particular have catalyzed development of considerable

expertise in genomic, proteomics and metabolomics in the province. There are two platforms at

BCIT that are focused on natural health produce analysis and food technology and product

development (Table 7).

Table 7: Agri-food Support Facilities in BC

Facility Location Website Services

Translational

Research Initiative

for Accelerated

Prostate Centre,

Vancouver General

Hospital

http://pctriadd.com/genomic-

analysis/services-amp-

expertise

Microarrays,

sequencing,

bioinformatics

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

26

Discovery and

Development

Michael Smith

Genome Sciences

Centre, BC Cancer

Agency (BCCA)

BC Cancer Agency www.bcgsc.ca

Sequencing, mapping,

gene expression and

bioinformatics facilities

UBiC (the UBC

Bioinformatics

Centre)

UBC www.bioinformatics.ubc.ca

Bioinformatics

UVic- Genome BC

proteomics Centre

University of

Victoria

http://www.proteincentre.com

/

Proteomics

Fragment Analysis

and DNA

Sequencing Services

(FADSS)

UBC - Okanagan http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/i

kbarberschool/research/analy

tical/fadss.html

Sequencing, mapping

The Metabolomics

Innovation Centre

University of

Victoria/University

of Alberta

http://www.metabolomicscent

re.ca/

Metabolomics

Herbal Evaluation

and Analysis

Laboratory (HEAL)

BC Institute of

Technology

http://www.bcit.ca/appliedres

earch/tc/facilities/heal.shtml

Analysis of natural

health products, raw

botanicals and food

items

Food Processing

Resource Centre

BC Institute of

Technology

http://www.bcit.ca/health/ind

ustry/foodcentre/

Food technology,

product development,

process technology

Researchers and Expertise

British Columbia academic institutions have research expertise directly relevant to the agri-food

sector as well as scientist skills and knowledge in related areas like soil ecology, plant and animal

physiology and pathology, immunology and vaccine development, climate modeling etc. that

could be important partners in research projects.

Outside BC’s higher education system, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food

Research Centres in Summerland and Agassiz carry out research in a number of agricultural

disciplines. PARC-Summerland employs 23 research scientists, three biologists, one physical

scientist and 50 support staff working in areas from High Quality Horticulture (emphasizing tree

fruits and wine grapes) Production Systems, Systems Responses to Biotic and Abiotic Stresses

and Interactions amongst Hosts, Pathogens and the Environment. PARC-Agassiz employs five

research scientists, two biologists, two physical scientists and 25 support staff working in

Integrated Pest Management, Horticulture, and Eco-System Productivity and Health.

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

As at May 2014

27

See Appendix 1 for a list of BC researchers.

Training

BC’s academic institutions provides international level opportunities to educate and train at an

undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral level the next generation of agri-food technologist

and researchers leaders. The province is also a world leader in training researchers in genomics

and related technologies.

Plant, Animal and Human Health

Provincial Government Plant and Animal Health Branch

The Ministry of Agriculture provides leadership, scientific direction and financial support to the

agri-food industry. The Plant and Animal Health Branch is one of four branches46 within the

Agriculture Science and Policy Division47. Three units make up the Plant and Animal Health

Branch: 1) Plant Health Unit, 2) Animal Health Centre and 3) Livestock Health Management &

Regulatory Unit.

The Plant Health Unit has professional staff with expertise in plant pathology, entomology,

pesticide science and molecular diagnostics. The Plant Health Laboratory’s role is to diagnose

and monitor plant pathogenic diseases, insect pests, and invasive plants and recommend the

best management practices to reduce or eliminate their impact on agricultural crops in BC. The

Unit also promotes reduced pesticide use by making control recommendations that emphasize

integrated pest management.

The Animal Health Centre is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory with accreditation from

the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. There is technical and

veterinary staff in the disciplines of pathology, serology, necropsy, histopathology, microbiology

and molecular diagnostics. The Centre’s role is to diagnose, monitor and assist in maintaining

disease-free livestock in BC.

The Livestock Health Management & Regulatory Unit works with industry and government to

provide direction in regulator matters, livestock health management and monitoring of food

safety standards for milk production. The Regulatory Unit administers a number of Acts and

Regulations48 that are specific to produce grading, animal disease, bees, fur, game, milk industry,

plant protection and veterinary drugs49. Livestock Health Management investigates diseases that

impact livestock production and the health of BC residents (zoonotics).

46 The three other Branches include Agrifoods and Policy Legislation Branch, Innovation and Industry Development Branch and the Performance and Evaluation Branch. The BC Meat Inspection Program is also included in the Agriculture Science and Policy Division 47 The other two divisions in the Ministry of Agriculture are Corporate Services Division and Strategic Industry Partnership Division. 48 Documents can be accessed online at BC Laws (http://www.bclaws.ca/) 49 Other Acts and Regulation that impact the agri-food sector are administered by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water, Land

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BC Centre for Disease Control

The BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) laboratory technologists, food specialists and

epidemiologists investigate and monitor foodborne illnesses in BC by tracking and disease

surveillance at a population level. BCCDC also plays a role in keeping food healthy through

inspection and licensing of provincial dairies and abattoirs as well as developing and providing

food safety information, guidelines and training50.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (or CFIA) is a regulatory agency that is dedicated to the

safeguarding of food, animals, and plants, which enhance the health and wellbeing of Canada's

people, environment and economy. The CFIA is the responsibility of the Minister of Health.

CFIA contributes to Canadian consumer protection and market access for Canada’s food, plants

and animals by working with industry and government agencies to prevent and manage risks

related to food safety and animal (zoonotic) diseases and protect plant resources from pests and

diseases.

The Burnaby location is accredited by the Standard Council of Canada to perform analysis on

food and edible products for human and animal consumption using chemical and

microbiological technologies. Laboratory services for CFIA are provided by the Western

Laboratories Network with locations in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.

Zoetis (formerly Pfizer Animal Health)

Zoetis51 is a global animal health company that delivers medicines and vaccines, support and

education. Zoetis offers a wide range of viruses, bacteria, antibodies and hormones

immunodiagnostics to monitor and safeguard the health of livestock. It also provides animal

genetic testing products and support services to the beef, dairy and sheep industry.

Professional Support Organizations

British Columbia Institute of Agrologists

The purpose of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) is a professional organization

that establishes a code of ethics and standard of competence for agrologists practicing

agrology52 in BC53 under the BC Agrologists Act54. The goal of the BCIA is to protect the public

interest in the sustainable use of resources.

and Air Protection (http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/lhmr/legislation.htm accessed February 23, 2014) 50 BC Centre for Disease Control Food and Health (http://www.bccdc.ca/foodhealth/default.htm) 51 Zoetis Inc. (http://www.zoetis.com/) 52 Agrology means using agricultural and natural sciences and agricultural and resource economics, including collecting or analyzing data

BC Agri-Food Asset Map

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British Columbia Food Technologists

The British Columbia Food Technologists (BCFT) is a professional association that includes

technologists and scientists from industry, government, and academia committed to advancing

food science and technology. BCFT members work in all areas of food processing,

manufacturing, research and product development, quality control/quality assurance, analytical

services, human resources, management and production.

College of Veterinarians of British Columbia

The College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (CVBC) is the statutory body created to serve the

interests of the public and animals through the regulation and advancement of the veterinary

profession in BC55. The CVBC’s mandate is to create, promote and enforce a high standard of

qualification, conduct and competence by practitioners of veterinary medicine.

Animal Health Technologists Association of British Columbia

The Animal Health Technologists Association of British Columbia (AHTABC) is a society that

establishes a code of ethics and standard of practice for Animal Health Technologists practicing

animal care in BC56. To become a member, an Animal Health Technologist must pass the

Veterinary Technician National Examination. AHTABC also maintains the technical, knowledge,

ability and competency of its members by through continued veterinary medical education.

OPPORTUNITIES

The BC government has deployed an agrifood strategic plan to boost economic output for the

provincial agri-food industry from $10.5B in 2012 to $14B by 201757. BC’s location on the Pacific

Rim combined with world-class scientific personnel, advanced research infrastructure and an

industry focused on excellence provides Genome BC with many partnering opportunities.

Industry organizations see opportunities to become more competitive by focusing on high-

quality, high-value products to satisfy consumer tastes in both domestic and international

markets. Genome BC feels there is an opportunity for genomics and related technologies to

synergize with academia, industry, business and government in the development and delivery of

or carrying out research or assessments, to design, evaluate, advise on, or direct or otherwise provide professional support to

1. The cultivation, production, improvement, processing or marketing of aquatic or terrestrial plants or animals, or 2. The classification, management, use, conservation, protection, restoration, reclamation, or enhancement of aquatic or

terrestrial ecosystems that are affected by, sustain, or have potential to sustain the cultivation or production of aquatic or terrestrial plants or animals

53 British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (http://bcia.com/index.php) 54 BC Agrologists Act (http://bcia.com/agrologists_act.php) 55 College of Veterinarians of British Columbia (http://www.cvbc.ca/cfm/index.cfm) 56 Animal Health Technologists Association of British Columbia (http://www.ahta.bc.ca/) 57 BC Agrifoods: A Strategy for Growth

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innovations that can help create a long term, sustainable and profitable sector for the social and

economic benefit to BC and Canada.

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Appendix 1: BC Researchers and areas of

expertise/interest

Institution Department Researcher’s Name Expertise/Interests

SFU Biological Sciences Allison R. Kermode Plant cell biology and

physiology

SFU Biomedical Physiology

and Kenesiology

Amandio Vieira Nutrition, metabolism,

epigenomics

PARC Agassiz Anne Marie De Passillé Animal husbandry

Trinity Western

University

Biology Anthony Siame Fungal Mycotoxins

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

Sustainable Urban

Systems

Arthur Fallick Food systems design, urban

studies, strategic planning

UBC Microbiology &

immunology

Bill Mohn Metagenomics

UBC Microbiology &

immunology

Bob Hancock Vaccines

UBC Microbiology &

immunology;

Biochemistry and

Molecular Biology

Brett Finlay Vaccines

TRU Chemistry Brunu Cinel Natural products chemistry

PARC Summerland Cheryl Hamspon Cultivar development

UBC Faculty of Forestry Colette Breuil Tree diseases

UBC Botany; Earth and

Ocean Sciences;

Microbiology and

Immunology

Curtis Suttle Viruses

UBC-O Biology Daniel Durell Fungi and yeast

PARC Agassiz David Ehret Crop management

PARC Agassiz David Gillespie Integrated pest management

PARC Summerland David Theilmann Molecular insect virology

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

Institute for

Sustainable

Horticulture

Deborah Henderson Biopestisides and microbial

biocontrols

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Institution Department Researcher’s Name Expertise/Interests

PARC Summerland Denise Neilsen Climate

University of

the Fraser

Valley

Berry Resource Centre Eric Gerbrandt Berry breeding

TRU Biological Sciences Eric Littley Root pathogens of ginseng and

ginseng production systems

UBC Microbiology &

immunology

Erin Gaynor Human pathogen

UVic Biochemistry and

Microbiology

Francis Nano Genome engineering

PARC Summerland Gary Judd Entomologist

UBC Botany George Haughn Plant genomics

PARC Summerland Guus Bakkeren Molecular plant pathology

PARC Summerland Hélène Sanfaçon Plant virology

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Hennie van Vuuren Yeast genomics

PARC Summerland Howard Thistlewood Population ecology

SFU Pest Management Jennifer Cory Biological control

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Jim Vercammen Commodity price analysis

PARC Summerland Joan Cossentine Insect biological control

UBC Forest Sciences and

Botany

Joerg Bohlmann Plant genomics and

metabolism

TRU Natural Resource

Science

John Church Cattle research

UBC-O Biology John Klironomos Microbial ecology

TRU Biological Sciences Jonathan Van Hamme Environmental microbiology

and biotechnology

UVic Biology Juergen Ehlting Plant genomics and

metabolism

SFU Biological Sciences Julian Guttman Pathogenic bacteria

UBC-O Biology Karen Hodges Conservation ecology

Trinity Western

University

Biology Karen Steensma Ecological agriculture, wildlife

friendly agriculture, commercial

dairy

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Institution Department Researcher’s Name Expertise/Interests

PARC Summerland Kelly Ross Food chemistry

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

Institute for

Sustainable Food

Systems

Kent Mullinix Sustainable agriculture

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Kevin Allen Foodborne pathogens

PARC Summerland Kevin Usher Sustainable production

TRU Chemistry Kingsley Donkor Analytical and agricultural

chemistry

UBC Botany Lacey Samuels Plant cell walls

TRU Natural Resource

Sciences and Biological

Sciences

Lauchlan Fraser Grasslands and wetlands

University of

the Fraser

Valley

Geography and the

Environment

Lenore Newman Food Security and the

environment

UBC Biochemistry and

Molecular Biology

Leonard Foster Apiculture

UBC Botany Ljerka Kunst Fatty acid and lipid metabolism

UBC Botany Loren Rieseberg Plant evolutionary genomics

UBC-O Biology Louise Nelson Microbial ecology

PARC Summerland Margaret Cliff Sensory Evaluation

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Marina von Keyserlingk Dairy

UBC-O Biology Melanie Jones Microbial ecology

Berry

consortium

N/A Michael Dossett Berry breeding

UBC-O Biology Miranda Hart Microbial ecology

PARC Summerland Pascal Delaquis Food microbiology

PARC Summerland Pat Bowen Viticulture and Plant Physiology

Trinity Western

University

Chemistry Paul Brown Soil and soil chemistry

PARC Summerland Paul Wiersma Fruit quality traits

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Institution Department Researcher’s Name Expertise/Interests

BCIT Natural Health and

Food Products

Research Group

Paula Brown Product sources and quality

standards

UVic Biology Peter Constabel Plant defenses

PARC Summerland Peter Toivonen Postharvest physiology

Kwantlen

Polytechnic

University

Sustainable Agriculture

& Food Systems

Rebecca Harbut Sustainable Agriculture

UBC Faculty of Forestry Richard Hamelin Tree diseases

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Rick Barichello Dairy industry economics,

regulated markets

PARC Agassiz Robert Vernon Integrated pest management

University of

the Fraser

Valley

Biology R. Wilen Investigating agronomic

potential of growing haskap in

the Fraser Valley

PARC Agassiz Sheila Fitzpatrick Integrated pest management

SFU Biological Sciences Sherryl Bisgrove Plant Growth

UBC-O Biology Soheil Mahmoud Lavender

UBC Microbiology &

immunology

Steve Hallam Environmental genomics

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Sumeet Gulati Agricultural economics

PARC Summerland Susan Bach Human pathogens

UBC-O Chemistry Susan Murch Natural products chemistry

University of

the Fraser

Valley

Biology Terry Starr Johnes Disease (JD) in dairy cattle

PARC Agassiz Todd Kabaluk Integrated pest management

University of

the Fraser

Valley

Pacific Berry Resource

Centre

Tom Baumann Berry research

PARC Summerland Tom Lowry Entomologist

UBC Land and Food

Sciences

Vivian Measday Yeast genomics

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Institution Department Researcher’s Name Expertise/Interests

TRU Natural Resource

Science

Wendy Gardner Agricultural sciences

UVic Biology William Hintz Fungal genetics

UBC Botany Xin Li Plant pathology

PARC Summerland Yu Xiang Plant virology

SFU Biological Sciences Zamir Punja Plant pathology and

biotechnology

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POWERING BC’S AGRI-FOOD SECTOR400 – 575 West 8th AveVancouver, BC V5Z 0C4T: 604 738 8072F: 604 738 8597E: info@genomebc.cawww.genomebc.ca