Whereas escaped wild boar numbers are increasing in Saskatchewan and causing environmental destruction and economic hardships for affected farmers; and

Whereas this situation has potential to grow to an uncontrollable level impacting a broad spectrum of Saskatchewan residents;

Be it resolved that funding be provided to SARM for administration of the Feral Wild Boar Control Program.

Response from Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agriculture:
The Saskatchewan wild boar industry consists of approximately 29 commercial producers with about 40 to 50 farms in total. The industry produces between 4,000 – 8,000 head per year, with sales of live animals to the U.S. and meat to Japan and the domestic Canadian market, generating estimated gross revenues of $700,000 (2008) to $2.2 million (2006).

The Ministry has established a Wild Boar Control Program with dedicated funding. The Ministry is also prepared to work with SARM to develop and implement programming and regulatory measures for the control of feral wild boar. The Ministry of Agriculture has contracted SARM to administer the Wild Boar Control Program for the 2010/11 fiscal year and is providing $50,000 to the program.