FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Abbotsford, BC – December 12, 2025: BC Dairy extends its thanks to the City of Abbotsford, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and Food, and local emergency management officials for their coordination and leadership as dairy farms in the Fraser Valley respond to active flooding driven by overflow from the Nooksack River in Washington State.
BC Dairy is working closely with local authorities through the Emergency Operations Centre and appreciates the clear and consistent communication in place to support farmers, animals, and essential agricultural operations during this event.
“The immediate priority for dairy farmers is the safety and well-being of our animals and ensuring essential services like veterinary care, milk pickup and feed-grain delivery can continue safely,” said Casey Pruim, Board Chair of BC Dairy. “Producers are monitoring conditions closely and preparing for additional atmospheric river activity expected in the coming days.”
In 2024, the federal government declined the City of Abbotsford’s application for flood mitigation funding through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. This outcome continues to leave farmers, residents, businesses, and critical transportation corridors such as the Trans-Canada Highway exposed to ongoing flood risk in the Sumas Prairie.
“The 2021 Sumas Flood clearly demonstrated the scale of the challenge facing this region,” said Pruim. “Local partners are taking steps to manage risk, but senior government investment is essential to deliver durable flood protection infrastructure that supports public safety, food security, and economic stability.”
BC Dairy supports the City of Abbotsford’s call for renewed federal investment in flood mitigation infrastructure, including a new Sumas Pump Station, to address ongoing and future flood risks linked to the Nooksack River system.
“Reducing flood risk in the Fraser Valley requires coordinated action across all levels of government,” said Pruim. “We look forward to continued collaboration to help protect agricultural land, animals, and communities in the region.”
Media Contact:
Dylan Kruger
Director of Public Affairs, BC Dairy
publicaffairs@bcdairy.ca
About BC Dairy
BC Dairy is a not-for-profit association that represents BC’s dairy farmers, works to grow the market for dairy products and support profitable, environmentally, and socially responsible dairy farm businesses. BC Dairy also brings dairy farmers together while building lasting relationships within their communities. There are over 400 dairy farms in BC, supporting 12,500 jobs, and the industry contributes $1.225 billion to the provincial economy (GDP).