Ken Johnston
Members of the Rainy River Federation of Agriculture learned more about a program that will see them get more compensation from the provincial government when wildlife damages their livestock.
The new and improved Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDCP) took effect July 1 of this year, noted Ontario Federation of Agriculture senior policy researcher Peter Jeffery, who was the guest speaker at the RRFA’s annual meeting Saturday night in Stratton.
Jeffery explained how the OWDCP has been improved from increasing compensation to expanding the lists of predators and livestock covered.
Previously, farmers could file for compensation if damage was caused by wolves, coyotes, or bears only.
Now those predators are joined by foxes, fishers, cougars, lynx, bobcats, ravens, crows, eagles, hawks, turkey vultures, weasels, raccoons, mink, and elk.
RRFA member Rick Boersema asked Jeffery if magpies were a problem in southern Ontario.
“We have never seen them, but I heard about them when I toured the area today,” replied Jefferey.
While magpies are not included on the list of predators, Jeffery said the new OWDCP will be up for review in two years, at which time RRFA members could encourage the government to add them.
Meanwhile, eligible livestock now includes cattle, horses, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, farmed fur, bison, deer, elk, alpaca, llama, donkey, mule, ostrich, emu, and rhea.
Compensation has been boosted, as well. Registered cattle now can fetch $8,000 per head, and non-registered $2,500.
Under the old program, the maximum was $1,000.
The OWDCP, however, does not cover damage to crops by wildlife.
“How long before we get crop compensation for this? asked Boersema.
“The plan is to begin working on it very shortly,” noted Jeffery. “So probably a year to 18 months.”
“Many organizations, including this one [RRFA], have been sending resolutions asking for this for 40 years,” countered Boersema.
“It is too long to wait,” he stressed.
“I agree,” said Jeffery. “But up until recently, the province did not want to talk about it.
“They have now agreed to look at this.”
Boersema said he found out that Manitoba has it and wanted to know why Ontario doesn’t.
“Some provinces do offer it but it is not universal across Canada,” noted Jeffery.
