Increased farming could have a positive impact on Yukon wildlife, the federal agriculture minister says.

Chuck Strahl, Canada's Minister of Agriculture, said outside Whitehorse this morning that if done properly, farms could be beneficial to wildlife.

'Agriculture is a way for wildlife to get a secondary food that they never saw before.

'Wildlife quickly adapts to farms,' he said.

'(Farmers in southern Canadian areas) say where there's farms, there's a huge increase in wildlife,' Strahl said in response to questions from local farmer Bill Drury.

At the morning media event at Rafter A Ranch off the Alaska Highway, Drury said farmers in the territory are often at odds with people involved in the environmental movement.

'There's obviously strong buy-in by the agricultural community for the benefits of the agriculture and how important the environment is.

'But, in the Yukon there's maybe not as strong a buy-in by the environmental community on the benefits of agriculture,' he said.

'The environment in Yukon seems to be a protected wildlife habitat. So, anyone who wants to do anything with the environment is infringing on wildlife habitat.'

Strahl said he supports properly planned farms as they could be integrated into the local environment, provide nutritious food close to area residents, and help reduce the demand for fossil fuels.

'If the environmental movement pushes back too hard and says we can't have farms' because of whatever, then we'll have to say then you're going to have to import your food.'

'That's kind of against a worldwide trend, we're trying to move towards supplying more of your own food close to where you live.

'Better to grow your food locally when you can, rather than say let's burn up a millions of gallons of fuel to bring it all in from the Lower Mainland. It's better to grow your turnips here than put them on the turnip truck,' he said.

Strahl said he feels the Yukon has a strong potential to increase its farming activity through partnerships between the federal and territorial governments and farmers.

'The Yukon has some great potential here, but it's going to require a concerted effort by both territorial and federal government and farmers who are willing to do it.

'Doesn't it make more sense to grow it here, you don't have to bring it in from China.

'At least more of (your own food).'

Yukon Conservation Society officials could not be reached for comment.