The Ontario Federation of Agriculture says the province is facing an increase in the loss of agricultural land as urban sprawl consumes land previously used for cultivation.
The 2021 Agriculture Census shows that Ontario loses 319 acres of farmland each day, equivalent to the loss of an average family farm per day.
Ontario Federation of Agriculture Vice President Mark Reusser says urban sprawl and new housing are major contributors to the loss of farmland in Ontario, where only five percent of the land is usable farmland.
He added that COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine showed how easily supply chains could be broken and stressed the importance of independent Canadian food production.
His farmers’ organization is calling on municipal authorities and the province to better protect agricultural land and food production when planning new projects to alleviate the housing crisis.
Reuser says agricultural land itself is limited, but can be a permanent food resource when treated well.
(Canadian Press)
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