What BCFIRB does
The B.C. Farm Industry Review Board (BCFIRB) is an independent administrative tribunal. It was created by the Government of B.C. to work in the public interest. We:
- Oversee B.C.’s regulated marketing system
- Supervise the province’s regulated marketing boards and commissions
- Hear appeals and complaints from the public, industry and producers
- Conduct supervisory reviews to address systemic or cross-sector issues
- Support transparency, accountability and continuous improvement across B.C.’s regulated marketing boards and commissions
How we oversee regulated sectors
BCFIRB provides independent oversight of B.C.’s eight regulated marketing boards and commissions. These boards and commissions manage production rules, licensing, pricing, and quotas for regulated commodities such as poultry, eggs and dairy.
We ensure their decisions:
- Follow sound marketing policy
- Serve the public interest
- Align with principles of good governance
- Support long-term sustainability across the sector
When needed, we issue binding directions to boards and commissions under section 7.1 of the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act.
Supervisory reviews
When needed, BCFIRB conducts supervisory reviews to address sector-wide or systemic concerns. These reviews help improve governance and accountability across regulated sectors.
They may be triggered by appeals, concerns raised by interest holders, or our own investigations.
Supervisory reviews may involve:
- Reviewing board decisions or performance
- Consulting with producers, boards, commissions, and other interest holders
- Recommending or directing changes to governance practices
Appeals and complaints we hear
BCFIRB handles different types of appeals and complaints, each with its own rules and timelines.
- Animal custody appeals
Appeals about BC SPCA decisions about animals removed due to distress or abandonment, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act - Farm practices complaints
Resolve concerns about farm activities that affect neighbours, under the Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act - Regulated marketing appeals
Appeals of decisions made by regulated marketing boards or commissions in supply-managed sectors, under the Natural Products Marketing (BC) Act
Working together to support good decisions
BCFIRB also works to improve knowledge, policy, and coordination in B.C.’s agricultural sector by:
- Working with national partners to coordinate supply levels, align rules and manage national targets for supply-managed products
- Engaging with producers, boards, commissions, and industry groups to build knowledge, share expertise and support responsive regulation
- Conducting studies on farming or aquaculture practices to support informed, evidence-based decisions
When to contact BCFIRB
You may need to contact BCFIRB if you:
- Want to appeal an animal removal by the BC SPCA
- Are affected by farm-related disturbances
- Are appealing a decision from a regulated marketing board or commission
- Want to participate in a complaint, appeal or review
- Need help understanding a BCFIRB process or decision
- Work with a board or commission and need guidance, direction or approval
- Are working on a policy, regulation or governance issue under our oversight
Who works at BCFIRB
BCFIRB is led by a part-time board appointed by government through a public, merit-based process. A team of staff supports the board’s work, helping manage appeals and complaints, coordinate oversight, and engage with B.C.’s regulated agricultural sectors.
Our legal authority
BCFIRB’s powers come from provincial legislation. We operate under:
- The Natural Products Marketing (B.C.) Act
- The Farm Practices Protection (Right to Farm) Act
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act
- The Administrative Tribunals Act
These laws allow BCFIRB to act independently, with broad authority to conduct hearings, supervise boards and commissions, and ensure that regulatory decisions serve the public interest.
History of BCFIRB
BCFIRB was created in 2003 when two earlier boards were combined:
- The B.C. Marketing Board, formed in 1934 to help oversee regulated marketing and stabilize farm prices during the Great Depression
- The Farm Practices Board, created in 1997 to handle complaints about farm practices
Since then, we’ve continued that work by supervising regulated marketing boards and commissions, and hearing appeals and complaints about farming-related issues in B.C.