POP Resolution No. 4 – 08A
Wildlife Damage Compensation Program

WHEREAS with the ever increasing size of the free roaming herd of Plains Bison within the Prince Albert National Park; and

WHEREAS the surrounding farmers are undergoing severe financial losses to crops bales, fences and farmland as a result of the bison coming out of the National Park; and

WHEREAS the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program administered by Saskatchewan Crop Insurance provides little or no compensation for their losses (financial, material and time);

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministries of  Agriculture and Environment to address the shortfalls under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

Response from Honourable Bob Bjornerud, Minister of Agiculture

The Wildlife Damage Compensation Program compensates producers for 80 per sent of eligible losses arising from damage caused by waterfowl and big game animals.  The federal government pays 60 per cent and the provincial government pays 40 per cent of the program costs.  Compensation for damage caused by bison has been included under the program since 2004.

The province will be undertaking a comprehensive review of the Crop Insurance Program over the next few months as part of our committment to Saskatchewan Producers.  The Wildlife Compensation Program will be included in this review.  Input from SARM will be a valuable part of the review process in helping to determine how the program can better meet the needs of producers.

Response from Honourable Nancy Heppner, Minister of Environment

The Ministry of Environment is prepared to work with individuals who are having chronic problems with bison destroying fences to consider what solutions, including removal of problem animals may be appropriate.  A group of local stakeholders including staff from Prince Albert National Park are working to develop a long term plan to manage bison population in and around the National Park.  Local producers are active in this effort.  Coverage under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program is available to producers for damage caused by bison, that meet the requirements of the program.