Updates Announced to Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program
February 1, 2019NORTH BAY – Following consultation with farmers, farm organizations, municipal investigators and predation experts, Ontario’s Government for the People has made significant updates to the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program to support farmers who lose livestock to predators.
Today, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli acknowledged the important work done under Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ernie Hardeman’s leadership to address farmers’ concerns with the program.
“We were told changes were needed to make the process of getting compensation clearer and more transparent for farmers. Program updates will make sure it works for eligible farmers when they lose livestock to predators without adding extra red tape,” said Fedeli.
Program updates include:
- More ways to provide sufficient evidence to prove wildlife predation
- A more independent and transparent appeals process
- Better training for municipal investigators to assess predation
- Compensation that better reflects market prices
These updates are effective for applications with a predation date on or after February 1, 2019. Training for municipal investigators will take place in February and March 2019.
“These updates support fair compensation for eligible losses, which is part of what our government is doing to provide those who feed our province with the tools they need to stay in business,” said Fedeli.
Additional program changes already took effect on September 4, 2018, including separate pricing for steers and heifers, and updates to the Farm Business Registration requirement.
Ontario is committed to reducing red tape and regulatory burden to make it easier for farmers to do business, while maintaining standards to keep Ontarians safe and healthy. Through the Ontario Open for Business Action Plan, the provincial government is removing obstacles to investment, growth and job creation in over a dozen sectors — including agriculture and food processing, manufacturing, construction and the auto sector.
These program updates are part of the plan and will provide greater clarity for farm business owners when applying for compensation under these programs, saving time and reducing burden so they can focus on growing their business.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Program resources on Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs