Persephone Brewing Company’s push for changes to the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) regulations hit the floor of the Legislature this week.
Persephone, and Crannóg Ales of Sorrento, are both on ALR land where they grow their own hops, but neither company is able to produce enough grain to meet the 50 per cent requirement imposed by the province.
Persephone’s application for a non-farm use exemption from the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) was turned down, despite support from the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD).
The ALC ruling gave Persephone two years to comply, but the company is hoping instead to change the rules so breweries growing at least 50 per cent of any ingredient used in their beer, or who use ingredients grown on other B.C. farms, can operate in the ALR. Wineries and cideries already work under similar rules.
Sean Eckford – Coast Reporter – March 17, 2017.
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