Robert Arnason is a reporter with The Western Producer and Glacier Farm Media.
Producers worry about First Nations’ land claims and what they could mean for cattle production in the province.
When cattle ranchers in British Columbia meet for coffee or beer, one topic dominates the conversation.
They might briefly discuss drought, livestock predation and the uncertain future of North America’s free trade deal, but the conversation will quickly return to the No. 1 topic of concern — First Nations’ land claims and what they could mean for cattle production in B.C.
“The mood on the ground is of great concern. This is our association’s priority,” said Werner Stump, president of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association.
“We’ve got a lot of things we would rather be spending our time on … (but) this issue is at the top of the list.”
Why it Matters: British Columbia ranchers have a couple of key questions on their minds: will they have access to crown land for grazing four years from now, and will they maintain exclusive ownership of their private land?
Stump raises Red Angus and Simmental cattle with his family on their ranch in the Shuswap region of B.C., near Sicamous.
He’s been the president of the B.C. Cattlemen’s Association for about a year and has spent much of the last 12 months learning about Aboriginal title, fee simple title and the messy fight over land rights in the province.
Stump had to become an expert in these matters because members of his association are questioning their future in the cattle business.
Those fears are affecting the mindset and behaviour of cattle ranchers.
“There’s probably not a (geographic) spot in B.C. where there isn’t a formal Aboriginal title claim or an expressed interest,” Stump said.
“I know that there are (ranch) sales that have gone sideways (in the last 24 months) … where people have backed out of deals.”
Read the full artcle: Land claim fears take hold in British Columbia’s cattle country | The Western Producer