The Ontario Federation of Agriculture says the province is facing increased farmland loss as urban sprawl swallows up areas previously used for production.
Data from the 2021 Census of Agriculture suggests that Ontario is losing 319 acres of farmland per 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 developments are major contributing factors to the loss of farmland in Ontario, where only 5% of the land area is workable agricultural land.
He adds that COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have shown how easily supply chains can be disrupted and underscored the importance of independent Canadian food production.
His farmer-led organization is calling on municipal governments and the province to better protect farmland and food production when planning new developments to ease the housing crisis.
According to Reusser, farmland has limits, but it can be a perpetual food resource when treated well.
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