The updated regulation enables all alcohol producers to operate within the ALR, providing they source at least 50% of the primary farm product used in their alcohol from their own and other BC farms.

BC – A change in regulations has all alcohol producers in the Agricultural Land Reserve operating under the same rules, levelling the playing field for British Columbia brewers, mead makers and distillers.

The updated regulation enables all alcohol producers to operate within the ALR, providing they source at least 50% of the primary farm product used in their alcohol (e.g., grapes for wine, barley for beer, honey for mead) from their own and other B.C. farms, which could create new opportunities for B.C. farmers.

The change amends a 2015 regulation that created different rules for wineries and cideries than other alcohol producers, and led to calls for policy change from the BC Chamber of Commerce, the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Craft Distillers Guild of British Columbia.

“Amending the ALR regulations provides a much-needed balance for B.C. farmers and small businesses, particularly in the craft brewery and distillery industries,” says Val Litwin, president and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce.

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  Filed under: Beer In The News, Business of Beer, Politics & Advocacy
  Tagged under: Agricultural Land Reserve, ALR, BC, BC Beer Beat, BC Chamber of Commerce, Brewers, British Columbia, Cideries, Craft Distillers Guild of British Columbia, Distillers, Farmers, Mead Makers, Policy Change, Regulations, Rules, Union of British Columbia Municipalities, Wineries