WHEREAS we were very pleased with last year’s enhancement to the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program; and

WHEREAS in areas where coyote predation of newborn calves is very heavy it has proven to be of benefit; and

WHEREAS there has been a marked increase in coyote populations after the reduction program was discontinued; and

WHEREAS it would be cost effective to attempt to keep the coyote population in check, especially in known coyote hot spots;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Provincial Government to consider reinstating the Saskatchewan Coyote Control Program as a complement to the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

Response from Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agriculture:

In March 2010, changes were announced to the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. Under the program, producers are now eligible to receive 100 per cent compensation for livestock killed and up to 80 per cent of the market value of animals that have been injured by predators. This compensation is available to all livestock and poultry producers and there are no premiums. In addition, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation now administers the Livestock Predation Prevention Program, which assists producers with predation prevention measures and the removal of problem predators. The Ministry of Agriculture also made changes to the Environmental Farm Planning (EFP) Program to provide financial assistance to sheep and goat producers to establish fencing to protect their animals from predators.

While there are no plans to reinstate the Saskatchewan Coyote Control Program at this time, your input is appreciated and will be considered as we monitor the situation in the future.