The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources, today released a report on consultations related to whether or not to allow the shooting of moose causing crop damage on farms at night – a practice currently prohibited.
A common theme expressed by farmers at all sessions was that nighttime moose depredation negatively effects their ability to realize maximum profit and the shooting of moose is one of the necessary tools to control crop damage on farms.
The public consultations held in February and March provided an opportunity for input through four in-person sessions in Deer Lake, Wooddale, Clarenville and St. John’s and an online questionnaire hosted at engageNL.ca.
Other key viewpoints expressed throughout the consultation process included:
- Farmers being permitted to develop farm-specific depredation plans that effectively consider the circumstances of individual farms when implementing forms of acceptable wildlife control;
- The vast majority of crop damage occurs after daylight hours and throughout the night when moose typically feed;
- Public safety must always be a fundamental concern when shooting a firearm; and
- Considering use of non-lethal methods of wildlife control.
The complete 2020 Agriculture Depredation Policy Consultation Feedback Report can be viewed online at the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources website.
Department officials are currently evaluating all data collected for consideration as part of the Agriculture Depredation Policy review.
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“Crop damage caused by wildlife is having a real and significant impact on the bottom line for many of our farmers. This public consultation process has been successful in providing farmers and others with opportunity to provide meaningful input on how to potentially adjust the current Agriculture Depredation Policy to better reflect the requirements of farmers while addressing public safety.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources
Learn More
2020 Agriculture Depredation Policy Consultation Feedback Report
Public Consultations Seek Input on Preventing Crop Damage Due to Moose
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Media contact
Craig Renouf
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca