The Rural Voice, 2019-03, Page 82446 10th St., Hanover, Ontario N4N 1P9
519-364-3050 or 1-800-275-9551
* The Rural Voice is provided to OFA
Members in Bruce County by the BCFANEWSLETTER
Email: bruce@ofa.on.ca
website: brucefederation.ca
Any opinion expressed is that of
individual County Directors or
Representatives and may not
necessarily reflect the views of the
Bruce County Federation of
Agriculture or Ontario Federation of
Agriculture.
Updates to the Ontario Wildlife
Damage Compensation Program
were announced on February 1 that
should see improvements in the
claims, appeal and compensation
process for Ontario livestock farmers.
The changes will be implemented by
the federal and provincial
governments, and are a result of
consultations with farmers and
agricultural industry leaders,
including the Ontario Federation of
Agriculture (OFA).
Wildlife predation is a serious
threat to livestock. Coyotes, bears,
wolves and foxes are among the most
common predators in Ontario that kill
or maim livestock, leading to
financial, animal health and disease
problems. The challenges farmers
face with predators and protecting
livestock were compounded by their
increasing frustration with the
Ontario Wildlife Damage
Compensation Program.
OFA and farmers across the
province participated in the
consultation process to amend the
program. OFA is pleased the federal
and provincial governments heard our
concerns about challenges with the
program. The consultation process
has seen some improvements that
will reduce unnecessary red tape in
the program.
To help farmers access
compensation for livestock lost to
predators, the Ontario Wildlife
Compensation Program now
includes:
• More ways to provide evidence
that is sufficient to prove wildlife
predation
• A more independent and
transparent appeal process
• Better training for municipal
investigators to assess predation
• Compensation that better reflects
market prices
Program changes are effective
February 1, 2019 and reflect some of
the asks OFA, along with our farm
business members have asked for.
OFA encourages all Ontario livestock
farmers to review the new program
and changes. We also ask for
feedback, directly to OFA and to the
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs. OFA
believes there is still room for
improvement, and we will continue
working with government to ensure
the compensation program works as
efficiently and effectively as it
should.
For more information, contact:
Neil Currie, General Manager,
Ontario Federation of Agriculture,
519-821-8883.◊
Changes welcome to wildlife compensation program
DIRECTORS’ MEETINGS
Bruce County Federation of Agriculture
March 25 – 7:00 p.m.
April 23 – 8:00 p.m.
May 27 – 8:00 p.m.
June 24 – 8:00 p.m.
August 26 – 8:00 p.m.
September 23 – 8:00 p.m.
November 11 – 8:00 p.m.
All meetings are held at the County of Bruce Building, Walkerton
Send in your
nominations!
If you know of anyone who should
be nominated for either the
“Bruce Award of Merit” or the
“Tommy Cooper Award”
please contact the BCFA Office
with the details.
Awards to be handed out at
“Celebration of Agriculture”
on March 29 in Elmwood
Social: 6:30 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Awards and entertainment to follow
Register today for the
farm transition plan
workshop!
Do you have questions about
developing a transition plan for your farm
business? It’s never too soon to start the
conversation. Join OFA, The Co-operators,
Farm Life and Scotiabank as we present a
free, half-day workshop to help you get
started on a successful transition plan.
This hands-on workshop will deliver
tips, resources and approaches for a
successful transition plan. Workshops are
open to all Ontario farmers and include:
• Transition planning 101
• Panel discussion and case studies
• How to set up your own transition team
Workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to
noon and will include light refreshments.
Thursday, March 28
Neustadt Community Centre,
183 Enoch St., Neustadt, ON
REGISTER TODAY!
Call Joanne: 519-364-3050 ext. 2 or
e-mail: joanne.hughes@ofa.on.ca
78 The Rural Voice