Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Agri-Food Protection Branch Overview
Contributing to healthy people, communities, and environment by supporting British Columbia agri-food industries in the development and implementation of comprehensive plant and livestock animal health and food safety management systems/approaches that ultimately result in the production of safe, high quality agri-food products.
The goal of the Branch is to contribute to and support the production of safe, high quality BC products from sustainable agri-food management systems, and thereby increase domestic and international confidence in BC agri-food products and enhance the growth and sustainability of the province’s agri-food industry.
The Agri-Food Protection Branch is responsible for advancing food safety and quality, traceability, plant health, and invasive plant management throughout the food chain which ultimately contributes to positive public health and environmental outcomes.
The Agri-Food Protection Branch staff complement includes: Agrologists, Specialists, Scientists, and Administrative Staff. Collectively, they use the following tools/approaches to deliver on the Branch’s mandate:
- Strategic planning
- Active surveillance
- Strategic involvement/intervention based on risk assessment and analysis
- Strategic industry/producer consultations
- Directed extension and/or education and applied research programs
- Development and or validation of informational resources
- Administration of regulations
- Diagnoses undertaken by the Branch’s Plant Diagnostic Laboratory
- Participation in international, national and provincial committees and initiatives
