Rat Control Program Compensation
Res #: 22-23A
Number: 22
Year: 2023
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
WHEREAS rat control is a very important part in maintaining our health, and maintaining a higher quality of grain,
which in turn, helps us support our farmers’ livelihoods.
WHEREAS the rat control program in place currently helps ensure the rat population will stay at a minimum.
WHEREAS if the rat control program does not see an increase in funding, it is likely that areas may have to reduce their
contribution to the program, in turn, seeing an increase in the rat population once again.
BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the funding for the Rat Control Program to
ensure that the program can continue, without the need to pass on any associated costs to our ratepayers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that SARM approach the Ministry of Environment and request that compensation for the
Rat Control Program see an increase in funding in the coming years.
Responses From: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment
June 20, 2023
The Ministry of Agriculture, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) – Rat Control Program, provides funding to rural municipalities and First Nations to control rats in their jurisdictions.
The Sustainable CAP – Rat Control Program funding is $1.2 million annually, and the total funding coverage from 2023 to 2028 is $6 million. This amount is $600,000 more than the previous Canadian Agricultural Partnership – Rat Control Program.
The program will continue to be funded at the same level and cover 50 per cent of the cost of bait, inspections, applications, hiring Rat Control Technical Advisors and other expenses.
The training budget for appointed pest control officers will be taken from the Plant Health Network rather than the Rat Control Program, which frees a portion of funds for rat control efforts. Also, since rat populations in the province have decreased from 2.42 per cent (2018) to 1.34 per cent (2022), rat control activities in some areas may be reduced due to rat infestations continuing to trend down.
We encourage you to continue to work with the Ministry of Agriculture on funding options and program priorities.
The Honourable Dana Skoropad – Minister of Environment, Government of Saskatchewan