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“The uncertainty it has created simply isn’t fair,” said McPherson.

Raquel Kolof, a Sunshine Coast farmer, said the rules are making farming less economically viable.

“We’re being regulated into oblivion,” she said.

Kolof, who farms sheeps for wool and pigs for pork, said she can only sell the raw products and can’t under the current rules open up any type of eatery to serve sausages and help make the farm more economical.

“I’m mad as hell and I want you to listen to us,” added Christine Watts, a farmer from Loon Lake.

The group came packed with signs, one of which read: “Bill 52 turns farmers into criminals for having existing (and previously legal) second homes on their family farm.”

Farmers that built second homes under the previous rules said they’re now considered to have legal non-confirming status under the ALR changes made by Popham and the NDP government.

Several expressed worry Monday that they would be unable to renegotiate mortgages, refinance their property in future or get insurance based on making changes to their land that were previously legal but are now no longer considered compliant with the rules.

Others said that changes to rules that removed farmers as recognized representatives mean they’re no longer allowed to approach the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) directly, but instead have to go to a local municipality that has no legal obligation to do anything with their request.

“What is happening is the ultimate exercise in disrespect,” said Liberal MLA Mike de Jong, whose family has owned a farm in Matsqui for more than 50 years. “Farm families have had enough and they are standing up and are going to demand a little respect.”