Changes to provincial wildlife regulations now provide farmers with more options to address the problem of moose causing crop damage on farms at night.  This includes a special permit allowing farmers to shoot problem moose at night.

Farmers can obtain additional information about how to obtain a special permit by contacting their area Agriculture Development Officer.

The regulations were amended after extensive review and consideration of feedback received during in-person and online public consultations hosted earlier this year by the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources. The consultations provided farmers and the public throughout the province an opportunity to offer input into the policy review process. Department officials have also held discussions with farmers who outlined their support for implementing the amendments.

The amendments also take into account considerations for public safety. The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources have worked with farmers to develop permit conditions that include:

• Prioritization of non-lethal crop protection methods whenever possible;
• Farm specific Agricultural Depredation Plans that identify when and where lethal removal can occur;
• Limitations on firearm types such as high velocity and long-range firearms; and
• A requirement for all designated shooters on farms to have completed a hunter and safety education program and be eligible to hold a big game licence.

Quotes

“The amendments announced today demonstrate how government is listening and is responding to the needs of farmers. I, along with department officials, welcomed the opportunity to engage directly with farmers to achieve a solution that provides more options to mitigate crop damage occurring at night while always keeping public safety top of mind.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries and Land Resources

“The amendments made today will ensure that farmers will have a means to protect their crops against moose damage when all other non-lethal crop protection methods have failed.  Loss of crops due to moose damage can be very costly to farmers and seriously jeopardize our goal to improve food security. The Horticultural Producers Council would like to thank Fisheries and Land Resources for the work that went into this process and for giving the farmers the ability to protect their crops.”
Mr. Melvin Rideout
NL Horticultural Producers Council

– 30 –

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @FLR_GovNL

Media contacts
Craig Renouf
Fisheries and Land Resources
709-637-2923, 640-6922
craigrenouf@gov.nl.ca

Melvin Rideout
NL Horticulture Producers Council
709-636-1258
melvinrideout@gmail.com