Released on November 9, 2010
Today, Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud announced Saskatchewan producers will now be eligible for compensation for crop and forage damage caused by any wild animal, including beavers and blackbirds. This compensation will be provided under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, starting in the 2011 crop year.
"This change will make sure help is there for producers when a beaver dam floods a crop or other wildlife cause damage to crops or forages," said Ritz. "It's always great when we can work with the Government of Saskatchewan to tweak programs, such as the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, to make sure producers have the help they need, when they need it."
"We are always trying to make our programs work for the benefit of Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers," Bjornerud said. "Producers shouldn't have to bear the costs associated with the wildlife that we all enjoy, and strengthening this program to include beavers and all wild animals will further assist producers dealing with wildlife issues."
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) administers the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. There are no premiums and producers are not required to be Crop Insurance customers to be eligible for benefits. The Wildlife Damage Compensation Program is cost-shared by the federal and provincial governments.
Producers receive 100 per cent compensation for all claims $150 and over. Producer compensation for crop or forage damage was previously limited to damage caused by white-tailed deer, mule deer, antelope, elk, bears, moose, bison, wild boars, ducks, geese and sandhill cranes.
"The wet weather this year has caused a significant increase in beaver damage in many RMs," SARM President David Marit said. "We are pleased with the continued improvement to this program to address the needs of our members and Saskatchewan producers."
Enhancements to the program since 2008 include increasing compensation from 80 per cent to 100 per cent, bear damage compensation for bee keepers, compensation for wildlife damage to swath, bale and corn grazing, and compensation for livestock killed or injured by predators.
For more information or to register a claim, producers can contact their local Crop Insurance office or call 1-888-935-0000.
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For more information, contact:
Daniel Jungwirth
Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation
Melville
Phone: 306-728-7427
Email: daniel.jungwirth@scic.gov.sk.ca
Meagan Murdoch
Office of the Honourable Gerry Ritz
Phone: 613-773-1059