Victoria – Reaction from the B.C. New Democrat Party announced Lana Popham as the Province’s new Minister of Agriculture.
After being elected in 2009, Minister Popham has served as Opposition critic for agriculture for four years. She has championed numerous agricultural initiatives, including the Buy BC program,
improvements to meat regulations and increased institutional procurement of local food.
“ We wish to offer our most sincere congratulations to Minister Popham who has been a tireless advocate for our sector, even preceding her time as opposition critic for agriculture,” says StanVander Waal, Chair, BC Agriculture Council.
The Minister’s knowledge and relationships with farmers, associations and food advocacy groups throughout the province will allow her to quickly and effectively step into this very important role.
Corky Evans was the BC Minister of Agriculture under the Glen Clark NDP government from 1996-2000. Evansd retired to his Kootenay area farm in 2009 but remains an advocate for agriculture and agri-tourism. He told FVN : “I like her a lotand what she stands for. I was glad when I heard the news of her appointment. She might, actually, get someone to care (about agriculture) or at least, I am hoping she might.”
