• Protecting Water and Farmland in Simcoe County

Shoot down Ontario Liberals’ new ‘nuisance’ wildlife strategy

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In Environment
Apr 7th, 2011
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Ill-conceived conflict strategy quietly posted on EBR, comment closes April 11
From Ontario Wildlife Coalition April 6 2011  
The fate of Ontario’s coyotes and other wildlife will soon be determined.
The Minister of Natural Resources is working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, farmers and rural municipalities to develop a long-term coyote and ‘nuisance’ wildlife management strategy.
However, Ontario’s wildlife “belongs” to all of us! It should not just be up to farmers and natural resource or hunting interests to decide the fate of our wildlife. Particularly, given the ill-informed and brutal approach taken to coyotes in this province.
A proposed Agriculture-Wildlife Conflict Strategy was quietly posted on the Environmental Bill of Rights Registry in late February, with the public consultation closing deadline set for April 11, 2011.
This strategy aims to increase compensation for farmers for  loss of crops and livestock due to wildlife predation,
But it aims to decrease the cost of compensation by increasing opportunities to kill ‘nuisance’ wildlife through increased hunting opportunities.  It also expands the list  of wildlife that can be killed.
The list now is expanded to include: cougars, lynx, bobcat, ravens, eagles, hawks, crows, turkey vultures, weasels, raccoons, mink and elk.
 This strategy is ill-conceived.  For example, turkey vultures eat only dead things. And farmers are no longer required to learn preventive methods to avoid wildlife predation. Consultations were limited to select agricultural organizations.   
Our voice is now critical. Wildlife protection organizations will be sending detailed responses. However, it will be the response, however brief, from members of the public like you that will make the difference. Please take a few minutes to send in your comments

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