Are you are involved in the sheep and wool industry in British Columbia? If so learn more about our Federation right here.
- Find local sheep organizations in your area.
- Check out membership in the BC Sheep Federation.
- Keep up on news that affects the sheep industry and connect with sheep-related events in your region.
If you would like to reach us directly, contact us. We are a proud member of the Canadian Sheep Federation and the BC Abattoir Association.
Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries response to flooding
Last updated: November 21, 2021
On this page:
- Local EOC contact numbers
- Industry association contact numbers
- Fuel restrictions - agricultural essential vehicles
- Mental wellness supports
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries urges all livestock producers directly impacted by the B.C. floods to contact their local Industry Association to provide information about their situation to support with livestock related response needs. For agriculture producers that are not a member of one of the below industry associations, please contact the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries AgriService BC emergency response line at 1-888-221-7141.
For agricultural producers that need emergency support for personal safety outside of agricultural production needs, please contact your local Emergency Operations Center.
The Ministry would also like to clarify there is an established process in place to allow farmers and ranchers access to evacuated zones to tend to their livestock and animals. This process requires a permit to be issued by an Emergency Operations Centre that is based on a valid safety assessment. The situation, however, remains dynamic due to the rapidly changing environment. Permits may be delayed or invalidated because the safety assessment has changed. Safety is of paramount importance. We ask all individuals to exercise patience and to follow the process to ensure their personal safety, and the safety of others. Producers in areas under Evacuation Order should contact the relevant Emergency Operation Centre to request a re-entry permit.
Local EOC contact numbers
Fraser Valley local government EOCs
Abbotsford 604-864-5688
Fraser Valley Regional District (Chilliwack) 604-845-8873
District of Kent 604-796-2235
Interior local government EOCs
Merritt 250-378-8633
Thompson Nicola Regional District 1-866-377-7188
Princeton 250-295-7511
Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen 250-490-4225
Nooaitch Indian Band 250-378-6141
Lower Similkameen Indian Band 250-499-5528
Industry association contact
BC Dairy – 604-294-3775
BC Egg - 604-556-3348
BC Chicken - 604.859.2868
BC Hatching Egg - 604-850-1854
BC Turkey - 604-534-5644
BC Pork – 604-287-4647
BC Cattlemen’s – 250-573-3611
BC Horse Council (Kelly Coughlin) 604-856-4304
BC Abattoir Association – 250-558-6855
BC Agriculture Council has useful flood resources and contacts on their website: www.bcac.ca
Fuel restrictions - agricultural essential vehicles
Until November 30, 2021, B.C. is prioritizing fuel for essential vehicles in impacted areas of the province. This is a temporary measure brought in by a new order under the Emergency Program to make sure we have a steady supply of fuel for the services and goods people depend on after the recent catastrophic weather events. Essential vehicles will not have a fuel limit.
This order covers the following regions:
- Lower Mainland (Vancouver to Hope)
- Sea to Sky (Squamish to Lillooet)
- Sunshine Coast
- Gulf Islands
- Vancouver Island
Under the order, agricultural and farm-use vehicles and veterinarians supporting flood response are considered essential. For a full list of essential vehicles please refer to the list here.
While most essential vehicles will be able to access gas through fuel depots and cardlock gas stations, there will be a limited number of unmarked or private vehicles that will be accessing gas at retail locations. These unmarked or private vehicles will need to show a printed or digital certification letter authorized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries to gas station attendants to identify their priority status and ability to fill up with no restrictions.
Agricultural operators and essential service providers in the regions listed above who use unmarked or private vehicles and require unrestricted access to fuel can request a Ministry issued certification letter below.
If you have questions or require assistance please call or email AgriServiceBC: 1-888-221-7141 at agriservicebc@gov.bc.ca.
For more information, see Travel and fuel restrictions - Province of British Columbia
Essential Vehicle Certification Request
Mental wellness supports
Information and contact numbers for mental wellness support for producers.
- Mental health resources for agriculture sector (PDF, 163 KB)
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Virtual mental health supports – Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
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AgSafe mental wellness resources for producers and employers
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AgSafe’s new Mental Wellness App, Avail, available FREE on the Apple App Store
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Avail Telehealth network provides access to the practitioners for
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Weekly check-ups
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Well being library
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Access to online and in person appointments
-
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Health Emergency Management BC (HEMBC)
AgriService phone line 1-888-221-7141 is available to producers impacted by flooding that need additional support, in particular those producers not serviced by the above contacts.
The Ministry’s priority is supporting those directly impacted and routine calls to AgriService may have delayed response times.
Contact Information
AgriService BC
Have a question? Call or email and a staff person will assist you.
Telephone: 1 888 221-7141
E-mail: AgriServiceBC@gov.bc.ca
D
So you're thinking of getting sheep or goats?
Webinar by:
Dr. Glenna McGregor Veterinary Pathologist at the Animal Health Center BC Ministry Of Agriculture
To go to Agriculture-related webinars, click here
Transport of Animals
Publications
BC Sheep Federation
- The N'ewes (available to members)
AgriDigest newsletter now available here
Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Sheep click here
Nutrition Guide for BC Sheep Producers click here
The Canadian Sheep Federation's
Wild Predator Loss Prevention Best Management Practices for Sheep click here
FAAST Animal Owner Manual click here
AgWildfire Communities and Venues click here
Canadian Sheep Identification Program Fees
January 4, 2019 – All tags approved in the Canadian Sheep Identification Program (CSIP) are subject to increased program fees, in keeping with the newly ratified agreement with Canadian Cattle Identification Agency (CCIA). The CSIP fee, which had been $0.23/tag, will ultimately increase to $0.59/tag by the summer of 2020.
The Canadian Sheep Federation (CSF) finalized a Memorandum of Understanding with CCIA that outlines shared roles and responsibilities in CSIP delivery. The agreement includes a schedule of program fee changes that will eventually see the fee harmonized with those of other regulated (and future regulated) species groups. Fee increases will take place incrementally over the course of the next two years varying by tag type, when tag inventories are replenished and with the status of amendments to traceability regulations. The increased fees are those of the Canadian Cattle Identification Agency, the portion of the program fee allocated to the Canadian Sheep Federation will remain unchanged.The Livestock Protection Program (LPP)
http://www.cattlemen.bc.ca/LPP.htm
toll free: 1.844.852.5788
email: lpp@cattlemen.bc.ca
Effective January 1, 2016, the Livestock Protection Program will provide verification and mitigation of wolf and coyote attacks on cattle, dairy cows and sheep in B.C. All other predation issues will continue to be handled by the Conservation Officer Service.
* Note: An information package is being sent out to all BCSF Members as well.
