OFA Commentary #0005
Recent postings by the Ministry of Natural Resources on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry are a cause for concern for many Ontario farmers. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture sees no reason for the MNR proposals to protect wolf and coyote populations from hunters and trappers.
The ministry’s own calculations tell us the wolf population in Ontario stands at more then 8,800, making it the largest wolf population in any North American jurisdiction. OFA and the farmers regularly hit by wolf and coyote predation see no scientific justification for the implementation of closed wolf and coyote hunting and trapping seasons.
Ontario farmers recognize the benefits of healthy ecosystems and the role played by predators such as wolves and coyotes in maintaining the ecosystem. Wolves and coyotes, however, prey on farm animals and poultry as well as deer and moose, and cause severe economic losses for farmers.
OFA supports initiatives to develop a better scientific basis for making wolf management decisions, and reminds the Ministry of Natural Resources that appropriate decisions cannot be made in an information vacuum.
Of particular concern to OFA and its 40,000 members across Ontario is the MNR’s decision to extend the wolf harvest controls to coyotes. Information gained from predation compensation records clearly indicates that coyotes are the primary causes of losses of livestock and poultry in Ontario.
OFA cannot accept the MNR premise that coyotes merit the same protection as wolves when the ministry’s own information states that coyotes only appeared in Ontario at the beginning of the 20th century. There is no historic reason to protect coyotes from hunting and trapping.
OFA can agree with the MNR’s search for effective and low cost options to reduce livestock losses due to predation. In spite of all measures taken, however, wildlife predation will occur. Current compensation coverage for wildlife predation needs to be revised and updated.
Any additional costs put on the farm community because of this latest initiative must be met with enhanced financial support.
Farmers must have the ability to protect and defend their livestock. OFA and its members are not prepared to accept the restrictions being proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources if they negatively limit the ability of the farmer to respond to wolf and coyote predation.
There has been no demonstrated need for the mandatory reporting of wolf and coyote harvests as described in the ministry’s EBR Registry proposal. Statistics provided by the ministry indicate no justification to limit the number of hunters and trappers through mandatory licencing. OFA is opposed to the ministry’s proposal to impose a limit of two hunting seals per year on hunters and trappers.
Instead, OFA would recommend a reasonable limit on the number of seals made available in particular Wildlife Management Units, and free distribution until the limit has been reached.
OFA will be taking its concerns with the MNR’s proposals to government officials and encourages farmers across the province to discuss these issues with their elected Members of Provincial Parliament.
~Harry Brander~
OFA Executive Committee