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Need for Increased Pest Control Funding

Res #: 5-18M
Number: 5
Year: 2018
Midterm: Yes
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

WHEREAS the role that local Pest Control Officers play in preventing the spread of rats with preventative baiting and farm inspections is very important;

WHEREAS the funding for the CAP Rat Control Program is currently slated to be cut in 2019 to only cover the cost of bait and not preventative farm visits;

WHEREAS funding from the Government of Saskatchewan has not increased for pest control but the different pests that have to be covered with this same funding has increased;

WHEREAS clubroot is also a very important issue that deserves its own funding to support the recently hired Plant Health Officers as they are better equipped to deal with clubroot than the local Pest Control Officers;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the provincial government for additional funding for Pest Control so that funding for Pest Control Officer preventative farm visits can be reinstated.

Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture

September 26, 2022

Rat control is a priority for the Government of Saskatchewan. The Rat Control Program (RCP) is a mature and stable program. Inspections over the last few years show that control efforts have been effective, and the rat population in the province is low and stable. The Ministry of Agriculture has been working with SARM to ensure that pests, including rats, are effectively controlled in the province. SARM administers the Canadian Agricultural Partnership – Rat Control Program on behalf of the province. 

The RCP provides a cost-shared payment to RMs and First Nation Bands that are active in their rat control efforts. The program includes rebates for the purchase of bait, applicator expenses, and other expenses, including mileage for farm visits from Pest Control Officers. Additionally, the brown or Norway rat is a declared pest under The Pest Control Act. 

The new agricultural policy framework is underway. Like the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the program will be a five-year, multi-million-dollar investment by federal and provincial governments into strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture. 

The Honourable David Marit – Minister of Agriculture, Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture