Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program guidelines

Effective date

October 28, 2022

These Program guidelines are subject to change from time to time. Consult the website of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (Ministry) at Ontario.ca/predation, or call the Ministry at 1-877-424-1300, to find more information about the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (Program) and predation prevention resources. In the event of a conflict between these guidelines and the Minister’s Order 502-2016, the Minister’s Order will prevail.

Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program overview

The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (Program) provides financial assistance to eligible owners whose: livestock or poultry has been killed as a result of wildlife predation; or if their bee colonies, beehives or beehive-related equipment have been damaged by wildlife.

The Program is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership a five-year, $3 billion federal-provincial-territorial funding program launched in 2018. The Partnership supports our agri-food and agri-products sector by encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market development, and offering business risk management assistance

Program changes – what’s new

Reasonable care plans

The number of applications after which a Reasonable Care Plan (RCP) will be required has increased to ten (10), from the previous five (5). This change will be effective as of October 28, 2022.

Program responsibilities

Owners

Owners are responsible for:

• Demonstrating reasonable care of livestock, poultry, beehives, bee colonies and beehive-related equipment in relation to the prevention of predation.
• Immediately seeking veterinary care or other treatment to prevent further suffering of an Injured animal. All receipts and invoices should be saved and submitted with the application. If the animal is in distress and suffering, the Owner may euthanize it before the Investigator arrives without affecting Program eligibility.
• Notifying their municipality within 48 hours of discovering the injury or death of livestock or poultry, if the Owner believes that the injury, death or damage was due to wildlife.
  • If the incident occurs in a territory without municipal organization, the Owner must notify OMAFRA (1-877-424-1300) within 48 hours.
• Notifying the Ministry (1-877-424-1300) within two (2) business days of discovering damage to beehives, a bee colony, and/or beehive-related equipment if the Owner believes the Damage was due to wildlife
• Preserving the Injury or kill site and carcass (or carcasses) until the Municipal or Territorial Investigator has investigated and agrees it/they can be destroyed or disposed of, unless it contravenes Ontario Regulation 106/09.
  • It is strongly suggested that upon discovery, Owners document the predatory event by taking clear photographs and notes of the carcass and kill site that can be submitted in addition to the photographs taken by the Investigator.
• Completing (or providing information for completion) relevant sections of the application pertaining to Owner identification and eligibility requirements.
  • If the Owner has an email address it is strongly suggested that it be included to facilitate application-related communication
• Reviewing the application completed by the Investigator for accuracy and signing the completed application form prior to its submission.
• Disposing of all dead livestock and poultry in a manner that is acceptable under Ontario Regulation 106/09
• Submitting a completed Reasonable Care Plan if an Owner has submitted ten applications to the Program within one calendar year (January 1 to December 31) and intends to submit a subsequent application.
• Submitting any additional evidence (such as photos, breeding records, registration documents) to the Investigator within seven (7) Business days of the on-site investigation if the Owner believes the evidence of the Investigator is inadequate or incomplete.

Investigators

The Municipal or Territorial Investigator is responsible for:

• carrying out a full and impartial investigation within 72 hours of receiving the notification of the Injury or death of livestock or poultry
• taking three (3) to six (6) colour photos per eligible kill/injury incurred and collecting all necessary information to accurately complete the application
• completing the sections of the application relevant to the investigation and having the Owner review and sign the completed Program application prior to submission

The Bee Investigator is responsible for:

• carrying out a full and impartial investigation within three (3) business days of receiving notification of the Damage to a beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment
• taking three (3) to six (6) colour photos per eligible kill/injury incurred and collecting all necessary information to accurately complete the application
• completing the application and having the Owner review and sign the completed application prior to submission
• providing a copy of the completed application to the Owner and the Ministry's Program Administrator within seven (7) business days of completing an investigation, as well as any additional evidence from the Owner
• Municipal Investigators are responsible for providing a copy of the completed application to the Owner and municipality within seven (7) business days of completing an investigation.
• Territorial Investigators are responsible for providing a copy of the completed application to the Owner and the Ministry's Program Administrator within seven (7) business days of completing an investigation, as well as any additional evidence from the Owner.

Municipalities

Municipalities are responsible for:

• appointing qualified Municipal Investigators
• ensuring the application is complete and collecting any missing information prior to submission
• reviewing and submitting completed applications and any additional evidence to Ministry’s Program Administrator
• paying an Owner's approved application in accordance with the Program Guidelines and as directed by the Program administrator
• providing Statement of Farm Support Payments (AGR-1) to Owners who receive compensation
• paying and reimbursing Municipal Investigators

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs

OMAFRA is responsible for:

• administering the Program
• appointing Territory Without Municipal Organization Investigators for territories without municipal organization and Bee Investigators
• posting the standardized pricing table containing the fair market values (FMV) for all eligible livestock and poultry; and updating the table on a regular basis
• reviewing applications to determine eligibility and assigning values based on the information provided
• providing the Owner with a decision within thirty (30) business days of receiving a complete application
• receiving Owners' requests for appeal, determining eligibility for appeal and notifying a member of the specialized roster under the Business Risk Management Review Committee (BRMRC) and the Chair of the BRMRC within three (3) business days of all eligible requests for review
• providing final decision on all eligible appeals
• notifying the Owner of the recommendation from the independent reviewer as well as the final decision of the appeal
• directing municipalities to pay approved claim amounts to Owners
• reimbursing municipalities in accordance with the Program Guidelines
• paying approved applications for Owners in territories without municipal organization or claims involving a beehive, a bee colony, or beehive-related equipment

Eligibility criteria

Owners

To be eligible for the Program, the owner must meet the conditions below.

• Be a sole proprietor, corporation, partnership or unincorporated association.
• Be in compliance with and remain in compliance with all federal, provincial and municipal laws.
• As of the kill/injury date on the application, have a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN) within the current or previous calendar year or valid FBRN exemption.
  • A valid FBRN will also reference the Owner’s name (business or Owners name) listed on the application.
  • A valid FBRN exemption will:
    • Cover the current or previous calendar year.
    • Reference the Owner's name (business or name) listed on the Program application.
    • Be one of the following:
      • Religious exemption: requires a copy of the Religious Exemption Letter as provided by the Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Appeal Tribunal (AFRAAT).
      • Cultural exemption for Indigenous producers: requires a letter from the Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario (IAPO) verifying the farm business operates in a First Nations community.
      • Gross Farm Income Exemption Letter granted by OMAFRA or Agricorp.
• Have a valid Premises Identification (PID) number for the farm property where the damage or kill occurred or a confirmation letter provided by IAPO, or, for beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment Damage, have a Beekeeper ID registered under the Bees Act.
• Have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number. Compensation received under the Program is considered taxable income by Canada Revenue Agency. Municipalities (or the Ministry in the case of bee claims or claims in territories without municipal organization) will issue Statement of Farm Support Payments (AGR1) for income tax purposes.
  • Applicants without a CRA Number need to provide their Social Insurance Number (SIN) to the municipality and/or OMAFRA when requested.
• provide and demonstrate that Reasonable care was taken of livestock, poultry, beehives, bee colonies and beehive-related equipment in order to prevent predation
• ensure sufficient evidence is available in order to determine that predation was the cause of death or injury
• agree to fully cooperate with any audits related to compensation the owner receives under the Program
• agree to be bound by the requirements of the Minister’s Order and these Program Guidelines

Eligible livestock species

The Minister may, on an annual basis, update the eligibility requirements and add further eligibility criteria. Eligible livestock species:

• alpaca
• bison
• cattle
• deer
• donkey
• elk
• emu
• fisher
• goat
• horse
• llama
• lynx
• marten
• mink
• mule
• ostrich
• rabbit
• racoon
• rhea
• sheep
• swine

Eligible poultry species*

• bobwhite, northern
• chicken
• duck
• goose
• grouse, ruffed
• grouse, spruce
• grouse, sharp-tailed
• partridge, gray (Hungarian)
• pheasant, ring-necked
• ptarmigan, rock
• ptarmigan, willow
• turkey
• turkey, wild

*The total weight of poultry injured or killed must be more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds) on a single application.

Eligible wildlife species for damage to livestock and poultry

• bear
• bobcat
• cougar
• coyote
• crow
• eagle
• elk
• fisher
• fox
• hawk
• lynx
• mink
• raccoon
• raven
• vulture
• weasel
• wolf

Eligible wildlife species for damage to beehives, bee colonies and/or beehive-related equipment

• bear
• deer
• raccoon
• skunk

Eligible damages

• Eligible livestock/poultry killed by an eligible predator
• Veterinarian costs for eligible livestock/poultry Injured by an eligible predator not exceeding the Fair Market Value of the livestock. In the event the animal dies or is euthanized, the total compensation will not exceed the Fair Market Value.
• beehives, bee colonies and/or beehive-related equipment damaged by an eligible predator

Disposal or destruction: responsibilities

Livestock or poultry

The owner of the livestock or poultry cannot destroy, dispose of, or permit to be destroyed or disposed of, the carcass of any livestock or poultry reported killed until the Municipal or Territorial Investigator has seen the carcass(es) and agrees that the carcass(es) can be destroyed or disposed of. The one exception to this rule is if the Owner of the livestock is required to dispose of the livestock or poultry because of the requirements set out under Ontario Regulation 106/09, which provides, "an operator may hold a dead farm animal following its death for up to seven days for the purposes of a post-mortem activity." The Owner of livestock or poultry shall comply with the requirements set out for the disposal of animals under Ontario Regulation 106/09 at all times.

If the Municipal or Territorial Investigator is unable to complete a full investigation within seven (7) days, the owner will need to dispose of the carcass(es). Given that the Municipal or Territorial Investigator will not have an opportunity to see the carcass(es), the death will be attributed to wildlife provided that the Owner has collected Sufficient Evidence to demonstrate that the death was caused by wildlife. The Owner is encouraged to take and submit colour photos of the carcass(es), the location where the carcass(es) was/were found and document all evidence indicating an attack occurred to ensure that the Program Administrator possesses sufficient evidence to evaluate the application.

Learn more about deadstock disposal.

Bee colony, beehive or beehive-related equipment

The owner of the beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment must not destroy or dispose of the beehive, Bee colony or beehive-related equipment reported damaged until the Bee Investigator has seen the beehive, Bee colony or beehive-related equipment and agrees that it can be destroyed or disposed of.

Submitting an application

Applications for the OWDCP are completed by Municipal or Territorial Investigators or Bee Investigators. Owners must review and sign the application before it is submitted.

The Municipality or the Territorial Investigator, is responsible for completing the following tasks prior to submitting the application to the Program administrator:

• verifying that the application is complete and collecting any missing information prior to submission
• checking that the application has been signed by the municipal Investigator, municipality, (if applicable), and Owner
• if the Owner indicated on the application that he or she wished to provide additional evidence, ensuring this has been included in the submission

Completed applications may be emailed to wildlife.damage@ontario.ca. Remember to:

• include photos and supporting documentation. If possible, combine all attachments into a single PDF file. The maximum file size is 10 MB per email attachment. You can send multiple emails if necessary and should be labeled as such in the subject line.

For Owner and Investigator help with the application process, read:

• Information for Owners of livestock or poultry injured or killed by wildlife
• Information for Beekeepers who suspect their bee colonies, beehives, and/or beehive-related equipment have been damaged by wildlife

How applications are assessed

All applications received within the required timelines will be assessed by the program administrator against the following criteria:

• The Owner meets all eligibility requirements.
• The application is complete:
  • If the application is incomplete or missing information, the Ministry will contact the municipality, or Territorial Investigator (in the case of territory without municipal organization) to request that the information be provided within fifteen (15) business days. The Ministry will follow up if the requested information is not provided within fifteen (15) business days.
  • If the information is not provided to the Ministry within the prescribed timelines, the application will be deemed incomplete and will not be assessed.
• Livestock and/or poultry have been injured or killed by an eligible wildlife species or bee colony, beehive or beehive-related equipment has been damaged by an eligible wildlife species.
• Total weight of poultry injured or killed on a single application is more than 25 kilograms (55 pounds).
• The livestock, poultry or bee colony were in good health prior to the predation event.
• There is Sufficient Evidence to demonstrate that the livestock/poultry was killed or injured or the bee colony damaged as a result of predation, not by disease, sickness, natural causes or euthanasia (unless euthanized as a result of injuries received as a result of a predatory event). Subsequently the injured animal, carcass or bee damage must be present and assessed by the Investigator.
• The following types of criteria/information will be used to assess applications
  • Primary evidence: Evidence that the animal was alive prior to the attack and did not die of natural causes, and evidence of a predatory attack (e.g., indications of blood, or signs of a of struggle consistent with resisting a predator). A full or partial carcass is required.
  • Secondary evidence: Additional supporting information that can help show that predation may have been the cause of death (example, scat, tracks, herd behaviour, client predation history), or that provides detail on factors that may have impacted evidence (e.g., weather conditions after kill, further feeding on carcass).
    • Secondary evidence is intended to support application evaluation, particularly in difficult cases where primary evidence may be inconclusive. Secondary evidence on its own cannot be used to substantiate predation.
• Evidence must include complete descriptions and supporting photos of the killed/injured species.
• Damage was not caused by a dog.
• There is evidence that efforts at Reasonable Care have been and are being taken to prevent future incidences of predation.
• If an Owner has submitted ten (10) applications within a calendar year (January 1 to December 31), a Reasonable Care Plan has been submitted and reviewed.

If the application is deemed eligible and valid, the Ministry will assign a value for the damages based on the Fair Market Value of the loss in the month it was killed, Injured, or damaged. If the application is determined to be ineligible the application will not be assessed, and the Owner will be notified as such.

Assigning compensation

A standardized pricing table will be used to assign a value to an application that has been found to be eligible for compensation. The tables are reviewed regularly and updated depending on the availability of new market data.

The standardized pricing tables are comprised of industry-recognized market data (e.g., Statistics Canada and AgriStability sources).

Current standardized pricing tables as well as archived tables from past months can be found online at Ontario.ca/predation.

Determining weaned and not weaned livestock values

For weaned beef and dairy calves

Compensation is determined using the indicated weight and standardized FMV.

For young calves (not weaned)

Beef heifers are assumed to weigh 530 lbs and beef steers, or bulls are assumed to weigh 560 lbs at weaning age.

Newborn calves and calves up to one month of age are to be compensated at 75% of weaning value using the "500 lbs to 599 lbs" pricing category in the standardized pricing tables and the weaning weight as the reference weight.

The value increases by 5% a month and reaches full value in the 6th month of age. The following table shows the percent of full value for each month of age. If the sex of the calf is unknown, it will be valued as a heifer calf.

For weaned lambs and kids

Compensation is determined using the indicated weight and standardized FMV.

For young lambs and kids (not weaned)

Lambs are assumed to weigh 80 lbs at weaning age. Newborn lambs are to be compensated at 45 percent of the "Lambs (80 lbs - 94 lbs) FMV using the weaning weight as a reference weight. The value increases by five per cent a week and reaches full value in the 12th week of age.

Newborn kid goats are to be compensated at 45 percent of the "Goat-Kids (< 7 months)" FMV with the value increasing by 5% a week, reaching full value in the 12th week of age.

The following table shows the per cent of full value for each week of age.

Other livestock

Alpaca, bison, deer, donkey, elk, horse, llama, mule and ostrich will have a pro-rated compensation assigned in the first year of life.

Young animals in their first month of life will be compensated at 45% of the corresponding FMV and will increase 5% per month until reaching full value in their 12th month of life.

The following table shows the percent of full value for each month of age. Emu, fisher, marten, mink, rabbits, raccoons and rheas are excluded from the pro-rated calculations.

Premiums

The Program will pay premiums for livestock and poultry only when the required documentation can be provided by the Owner. Premiums are calculated using an evidence-based approach with industry-recognized market data.

Registered cattle, sheep and goats

Cattle

Registered purebred cattle will be compensated at one-and-a-half times the FMV set out in the standardized valuation tables, up to the maximum compensation value for registered cattle (Maximum Compensation Values in these Program guidelines).

Required documentation: The owner must provide registered purebred documentation and evidence of an identification tag or tattoo that matches the registered purebred documentation for the predated animal. Parental registration documents will be accepted for potential breeding animals if additional documentation is provided demonstrating a genetic link between the predated calf and the registered parents and the owner intended to register the animal.

Sheep and goats

Registered purebred sheep and goats will be compensated at two times the FMV set out in standardized valuation tables, up to the maximum compensation value for registered sheep and goats (see Maximum Compensation Values in these program guidelines).

Required documentation: The owner must provide registered purebred documentation and evidence of an identification tag or tattoo that matches the registered purebred documentation for the predated animal. Parental registration documents will be accepted for potential breeding animals if additional documentation is provided demonstrating a genetic link between the predated lamb or kid and the registered parents and the owner intended to register the animal.

Pregnant cattle, sheep and goats and alternative livestock

Cattle

Pregnant cattle will be compensated at one-and-a-half times the FMV set out in standardized valuation tables, up to the maximum compensation value for unregistered cattle (see section Maximum Compensation Values in these Program guidelines). For the purposes of the program, pregnant heifers will be valued as pregnant cows.

Required documentation: The owner must provide an ultrasound report or breeding records for the predated animal. The submitted records must contain the following information to be eligible:

• identification (animal or group)
• insemination date (if applicable)
• date exposed to bull
• estimated calving date
• confirmation of pregnancy date

Sheep and goats

Pregnant ewes and nanny goats will be compensated at one-and-a-half times the FMV set out in standardized valuation tables up to the maximum compensation value for unregistered sheep or goats (see section Maximum Compensation Values in these program guidelines). For the purposes of the program, pregnant ewe lambs will be valued as pregnant ewes and pregnant kids will be valued as pregnant nanny goats.

Required documentation: The owner must provide an ultrasound report or breeding records for the predated animal. Submitted records must contain the following information to be eligible:

• identification (animal or group)
• number of ewes or does (if applicable)
• ram or buck Identification (animal or group)
• dates rams or bucks went in and came out
• estimated lambing or kidding date

Breeding poultry

Breeding stock values are factored into standardized valuation tables found at Ontario.ca/predation.

Required documentation: The Owner must provide sales receipts demonstrating the majority of the flock was sold to breeders and proof of pedigree from a breeder company to support grandparent, great-grandparent, foundation and pedigree stock claims.

Other livestock

Pregnant alpaca, bison, deer, donkey, elk, fisher, fox, horse, llama, lynx, marten, mink and raccoon will be compensated at one-and-a-half times the FMV set out in standardized valuation tables, up to the maximum compensation value for the species (see section Maximum Compensation Values in these Program guidelines). For added clarity, ostrich, emu, rhea, mule, and rabbits are not eligible for pregnancy premiums

Required documentation: The Owner must provide an ultrasound report or breeding records for the predated animal. Submitted records must contain the following information to be eligible:

• identification (animal or group)
• number of females (if applicable)
• sire Identification (animal or group)
• dates sire(s) went in and came out
• estimated birthing date

Ineligible premium claims

Flock damage or any other premiums not specified in these program guidelines are not eligible for compensation under the program.

Receiving payment

The Ministry will provide a decision letter to the Owner notifying him or her of the application assessment results including any compensation value assigned.

For fully approved applications, the municipality will receive notification of the assigned compensation value once the decision is rendered and will be directed to initiate payment to the Owner.

For partially approved or declined applications, the municipality will receive notification of the decision and any assigned compensation value after the twenty (20) business day appeal window closes or a decision is made on an appeal.

The municipality will then begin the process of releasing any applicable payment to the Owner. The Ministry will reimburse the municipality for the assigned compensation value indicated in the notification letter.

An administrative allowance of $50 per application will also be provided by the Ministry to municipalities to help offset a portion of municipal application processing costs associated with investigating predation events caused by wildlife. The allowance recognizes that there are incremental costs for delivering the OWDCP that are in addition to costs associated with existing municipal investigations for dog predation, which is a municipal responsibility under the Protection of livestock and poultry from Dogs Act. Payments to Beekeepers and those in a territory without a municipal organization will come directly from the Ministry.

For fully approved applications from Owners in territories without municipal organization or Bee Owners, the Ministry will initiate payment once the decision is rendered.

For partially approved applications, the Ministry will initiate payment once the twenty (20) business day appeal window closes or a decision is made on an appeal.

If requested by the local municipality or OMAFRA, Owners must provide either a Canada Revenue Agency business number or a Social Insurance Number (SIN) before compensation can be issued.

Compensation payable under the Program is taxable income:

• Municipalities/the Ministry are required to complete and issue a Statement of Farm Support Payment (AGR-1 form) at the end of a given calendar year to all Owners who received compensation, in compliance with CRA requirements.
• Municipalities/the Ministry must submit the AGR-1SUM Return of Farm-Support Payment to the CRA.

Appeal

The Ministry will provide written notification to the Owner and the municipality of the application assessment results, including any compensation value assigned. If you do not agree with the written results of your assessed application, you may submit a written request for an appeal.

An appeal request must be received by the director within twenty (20) business days of the date indicated on the decision.

A fee of $25 in the form of a cheque or money order payable to "Minister of Finance," is required to process the appeal request. The fee will be refunded if:

• the director determines that the appeal is ineligible
• the director makes a decision that favours the Owner’s position

Request a review of the decision

Submit an appeal request by email to Wildlife.Damage@ontario.ca and send the required $25 fee with an enclosed copy of the appeal request letter to:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Attention: OWDCP Director
1 Stone Road West, 4^th floor Northwest
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 4Y2

Important:

• Review your decision letter to confirm that your application is eligible for appeal.
• Include the application number contained in the decision letter and the date of the letter contained therein.
• Indicate that you wish to appeal the outcome of the application.
• Indicate the area of the decision that is being appealed in compliance with the appeal parameters.
• Provide any additional evidence to substantiate the reason(s) for requesting a review.

Appeal process

• The director will determine whether the application is eligible for review within five (5) business days.
  • Files not eligible for appeal will have the $25 fee returned. If the director determines the Owner’s appeal is ineligible, the director will notify the Owner within five (5) business days of making the decision.
• If eligible for appeal, the director will send the application and related documents to a member of a specialized roster under the Business Risk Management Review Committee (BRMRC) and the Chair of the BRMRC within three (3) business days.
• The BRMRC specialized roster member will complete their review and send a non-binding recommendation to the program director and the BRMRC chair within seven (7) business days.
• If the director does not agree with the recommendation of the BRMRC member, he or she will provide reasons to the BRMRC member and afford the member an opportunity to reconsider.
• The BRMRC member will affirm or amend the recommendation within seven (7) business days.
• The director will review the BRMRC recommendation and, if applicable, reconsideration and make a final decision within fifteen (15) business days.
• The director will notify the Owner of the BRMRC recommendation and, if applicable, reconsideration as well as his or her final decision within three (3) business days of the decision.
  • If the final decision favours the Owner's position, the $25 fee will be refunded to the Owner.

Appeal parameters

• Reviews are limited to Sufficient Evidence, incorrect information, reasonable care, and application for a premium (where allowable).
• The scope of review is limited to the specific issue(s) brought forward by the Owner.
• Applications deemed ineligible cannot be appealed since an initial assessment was not completed (meaning the Owner does not provide information such as an FBR number, no photos provided, missing information on the form).
• Appeal decisions made by the director are final.
• The administrator or director may extend the timeframes if there is a compelling reason to do so.
  • The Owner will be notified if deadlines are extended by more than five (5) business days.

Reasonable care

As an eligibility requirement, Owners must have implemented Reasonable Care measures to prevent predation on the property where the kill/injury occurred.

Owners must be capable of identifying all investments, retained services and farm management practices that have been employed over time to mitigate predation. If consistent predation is occurring, a scalable prevention plan should be implemented.

Owners must also be in compliance with all dead livestock disposal regulations.

Reasonable care

• A reasonable care plan is required for Owners who have already submitted ten (10) applications in a given calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
• A Reasonable Care Plan requires Owners to identify all implemented and planned investments, services retained, and farm management practices employed to mitigate predation on their farm premises.

• Owners must employ or plan to employ predation prevention measures that are reasonably in proportion to the predation they have experienced.
• Planned Reasonable Care Measures, which have been indicated on a Reasonable Care Plan, must be implemented by the Owner within a practical period of time.
• Alternatively, a biosecurity plan may be submitted in the place of a reasonable care plan, so long as it incorporates a predator entry control component.

All Reasonable Care Plans (or Biosecurity Plans) are reviewed and assessed by the Ministry. Where a Reasonable Care Plan is required, all applications will be deemed ineligible until the requested plan is submitted and reviewed.

The completed Reasonable Care Plan or Biosecurity Plan should be sent directly to the Program Administrator by email at wildlife.damage@ontario.ca or by mail:

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Attention: Program Administrator, OWDCP
Rural Programs Branch
1 Stone Road West, 4^th Floor NW
Guelph, Ontario N1G 4Y2

OMAFRA will send a reasonable care plan template to owners at the time a tenth (10^th) application is processed. The reasonable care plan template can be downloaded.

Enforcement of animal cruelty laws

In circumstances where the Ministry is concerned with the well-being of farm animals, they may call the Ontario Animal Protection Call Centre at 1-833-9AN-IMAL (26-4625) (264625).

Empowered by the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act, provincial inspectors work with veterinarians, agricultural commodities and others, as appropriate, to ensure animals remain protected. Provincial inspectors under the PAWS Act may issue orders, remove animals, lay provincial charges, and where circumstances warrant, work with police to lay criminal charges.

Ontario farm animal care helpline services

This helpline can provide assistance to farmers of beef cattle, dairy cattle, pigs, rabbits, chickens and turkeys who are unwilling or unable to maintain acceptable conditions for their farm animals, or if you are a farmer experiencing difficulties. Concerns will be relayed to the appropriate group. Learn more at Farm and Food Care Ontario or call 519-837-1326.

Maximum compensation values

These species are game birds pursuant to a licence under Schedule 3 of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997.

Determining beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment values

The Bee Investigator will determine the FMV of damaged beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment and use that to calculate the value of a claim under this Program.

The maximum compensation for a bee colony is $250.

The maximum compensation for beehive-related equipment is $100.

Program definitions

The terms below will have the following meaning:

Beehive

Beehive means the habitation or dwelling place constructed for a bee colony.

Bee colony

Bee colony means a colony of bees maintained for the production of honey.

Beehive-related equipment

Beehive-related equipment means equipment normally associated with operating a beehive.

Bee Investigator

Bee Investigator means a person or persons appointed by the Minister to act as an Investigator for the purposes of determining damage to beehives, bee colonies or beehive-related equipment under the program.

Biosecurity Plan

Biosecurity Plan means documented management strategies developed to prevent the entry and spread of disease.

BRMRC

BRMRC means the Business Risk Management Review Committee, as continued by Order-In-Council 1460/2018

Business day

Business day means any working day, Monday to Friday inclusive, but excluding statutory and other holidays on which the Government of Ontario has elected to be closed for business.

Damage

Damage means the partial destruction of beehive-related equipment and construction materials normally associated with operating a beehive.

Director

Director means an individual appointed by the minister to hear appeals under the program.

Fair market value (FMV)

Fair market value or FMV means the average value an Owner might receive for an animal with specific characteristics, such as age and weight. In most cases this will be represented by the standardized compensation rates provided by the Ministry.

Farm Business Registration

Farm Business Registration Number or FBRN means the registration number that farm operations with a gross farm income of $7,000 or more are required to acquire under the Farm Registration and Farm Organizations Funding Act.

Injured

Injured in respect to livestock or poultry means physically wounded.

Injury

Injury has a corresponding meaning to injured.

Livestock

Livestock includes mammals kept or raised on a farm for agricultural purposes and that are designated by the minister in section Eligible livestock species of these Program guidelines.

Minister

Minister means the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or such other minister who may be designated from time to time as the responsible minister in relation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act or the program, as the case may be, in accordance with the Executive Council Act or any other act of the Ontario legislature that allows another minister to be designated as the responsible minister, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Ministry

Ministry means the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs or such other ministry that has been designated as being responsible for this Program, unless the context indicates otherwise.

Municipal Investigator

Municipal Investigator means a person or persons appointed by a municipality to investigate injury or death to livestock and/or poultry caused by wildlife as set out in section 7(6) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Act.

Owner

Owner means a person who owns the livestock and/or poultry that has been injured or killed as a result of wildlife or whose beehives, bee colony or beehive-related equipment has been damaged as a result of wildlife; they are the applicant to the Program, and the person to whom a taxable income receipt is issued.

Ontario Regulation 106/09

Ontario Regulation 106/09 means Ontario Regulation 106/09 - Disposal of Dead Farm Animals, as amended, made under the Nutrient Management Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 4, as amended.

Person

Person for the purposes of this Program guideline includes an individual, sole proprietor, corporation, partnership and unincorporated association.

Poultry

Poultry includes domesticated fowl kept or raised on a farm for agricultural purposes and that are designated by the minister in the section Eligible livestock species of these Program guidelines.

Premises Identification

Premises Identification or PID means the assignment of one unique premises identification number based on national standards to a single land parcel that has been registered, characterized and validated.

Program Administrator

Program Administrator means an individual appointed by the minister for the purposes of administering the Program.

Program

Program means the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.

Program guidelines

Program guidelines means any written documents setting out the criteria governing the operation of the Program and posted to the ministry's website.

Reasonable care

Reasonable care means predation prevention measures, which align with livestock, poultry or honeybee industry best management practices, have been implemented by the producer on the property where predation occurred.

Reasonable Care Plan

Reasonable Care Plan means a plan that sets out how the Owner is taking Reasonable Care

Registered livestock

Registered livestock means livestock that are registered with the appropriate breeding association for that species of livestock.

Sufficient Evidence

Sufficient Evidence means evidence which allows the municipal investigator and the Program administrator to determine that a predator was the primary cause of death/injury to healthy livestock and that the predator involved is eligible under the Program guidelines. Photographic evidence of each carcass is required.

Territory Without Municipal Organization Investigator

Territory Without Municipal Organization Investigator or Territorial Investigator means a person or persons appointed by the minister to act as Investigator for territories without municipal organization for the purposes of this Program.

Wildlife

Wildlife means undomesticated animals as designated by the Minister as outlined in the section Eligible wildlife species within these Program guidelines.

Appendices

Appendix A - steps to take if you suspect your livestock or poultry are injured or killed by wildlife

• Notify your local municipality within 48 hours of discovering the injury or death of your livestock or poultry. If you are located in a Territory Without Municipal Organization, call the Ministry at 1-877-424-1300
• Seek veterinary care: If an animal sustained an injury, immediately seek veterinary care or other humane treatment options including euthanasia to prevent further suffering. Veterinary care costs are eligible under this Program up to the FMV of the livestock. All receipts and invoices should be saved and submitted with the application.
• It is strongly recommended that Owners take photos of the scene as well as document damages to the killed/injured livestock or poultry upon discovery and that these photos/documentation be submitted as additional evidence with the application.
• Preserve the injury/kill site: Do not move, destroy or dispose of the carcass(es) or injury/kill-site evidence until the Municipal or Territorial Investigator has investigated and agrees it/they can be destroyed or disposed of. An exception will be made if this contravenes Ontario Regulation 106/09.
  • Suggested methods of preserving the site include avoid walking in or around the area, placing a tarp over the carcass(es), or adding lime around the site.
  • If there is a strong likelihood of further feeding or scavenging prior to investigation, the carcass may be moved. The site must be preserved as best as possible as the Municipal or Territorial Investigator will take photos of both the carcass and the site. It should be clearly noted on the application why the carcass(es) was (were) moved.

Appendix B - Steps to take if you suspect your bee colony, beehive or beehive-related equipment has been damaged by wildlife

• Notify either the Ministry (1-877-424-1300) or the Bee Investigator within two (2) business days of discovering the Damage to beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment.
• Preserve the site: Do not move, destroy or dispose of the beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment until the Bee Investigator has seen the evidence and agrees it can be destroyed or disposed of.
  • Suggested methods of preserving the site include avoid walking in or around the area, placing a tarp over the damaged equipment, leaving markings and damage on the surface of the was comb intact and undisturbed, not putting the frames back into an active colony (if possible), and leaving digging and scat in place.
• Take photos of the scene as well as and Damages

Contact us

For more information on the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program contact us at:

• Tel: 1-877-424-1300
• Email: wildlife.damage@ontario.ca