SURREY Mayor Doug McCallum on Tuesday pledged to protect a vital piece of farmland that has been in the news because the federally owned land could be converted for industrial use.

McCallum said in a statement: “Surrey is home is to an abundance of rich farmland. The fertile land in question at 192nd Street and 36th Avenue is a vital piece of farmland that should remain untouched.

“If the federal government were to make this property available to the City of Surrey, I would ensure an offer would be made. If successful, I would pledge that the property would remain as farmland so it can produce harvest after harvest for generations to come.”