Increase farm land limits, says group

The P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture is calling for changes to the provincial Lands Protection Act, arguing the land ownership limits are out of date and too restrictive for today’s competitive industry.

But not all farmers agree.

The federation, which represents the interests of much of the Island’s agriculture community, unanimously passed a resolution at its recent annual general meeting asking that individual land limits increase to 1,500 acres, up from 1,000.

Members are also seeking a limit increase for corporations – up to 4,500 acres, from the current 3,000.   "They believe that the act is stifling, is old, is outdated," said federation president Bertha Campbell.

The act was written about 30 years ago and a lot has changed, said Campbell, who has reached her limit.

'With consolidation, in order to farm sustainably, you need access to a larger land base.' —Bertha Campbell, P.E.I. Federation of Agriculture

"Back in 1980, potato farms, I think we had 825 potato farms and the average size was 80 some acres.  And today I think we have a little less than 300, maybe 275 and the average," she said.

"With consolidation, in order to farm sustainably, you need access to a larger land base. So that is basically what is driving this resolution."

Limits keep corporations in check

Meanwhile, a representative of the National Farmers Union is opposed to the idea.

Ranald MacFarlane, of Red Pine Farm, said the limits help protect family farms by keeping corporate giants in check.

"You show me the precedence where bigger is actually better," he said. "There is no money in being huge.  My little pig business is proof that bigger isn't better. Only better is better. Islanders have to figure out what they want and what is better."

The provincial government has not yet responded to the request, passed at the federation’s Jan. 27 meeting in Charlottetown, said Campbell.

She plans to write to the agriculture minister asking him to consider making the change, she said.

The federation represents more than 700 individual farm businesses representing all aspects of primary agriculture in the province, according to its website.