Brenda O’Farrell
The Advocate

The Union des producteurs agricoles has welcomed Quebec’s proposed changes to the provincial Farmland Protection Act, but cautions it has not yet conducted a detailed analysis of the legislation.

“The bill … incorporates several elements that have come from the province-wide consultation,” said UPA president Martin Caron in a statement after the legislation was presented in the National Assembly earlier this month.

And he pointed to the aim included in the legislation to establish a registry of farmland transactions as a positive step to thwart investors seeking to capitalize on the increasing value of agricultural land in the province that threatens the long-term protection of land dedicated to growing food.

“The sustainability and development of the territory and agricultural activities remain seriously threatened,” Caron added, striking a cautionary tone.

“Non-agricultural uses represent more than 80 per cent of the areas removed over the last 10 years,” Caron continued, explaining that banning speculators and investment firms from buying farmland will help protect the province’s ability to produce food.

Echoing the overall sentiment expressed by the UPA, the Fédération de la relève agricole du Québec, which advocates on behalf of young farmers, said they are pleased the legislation includes provisions that will help the next generation of agricultural producers to gain access to farmland ownership. These measures include a tax on farmland that is not being used for agricultural production, anti-speculation measures and the banning of farmland being purchased by investment funds.

“Access to land is one of the biggest challenges facing the next generation of farmers,” said David Beauvais, president of the FRAQ. “This bill represents a decisive step to combat land speculation and guarantee that agricultural land remains in the hands of those who wish to cultivate it.”