Resolution 16-24F

Wildlife Predator Compensation Program Amendment to Include Coyotes

Date:

November 2024

Expiry Date:

December 2027

Current Status:

Intent Not Met

Sponsors:

Clear Hills County

District:

4 – Northern

Year:

2024

Convention:

Fall

Category:

Environment

Status:

Intent Not Met

Vote Results:

Carried as Amended

Preamble:

WHEREAS coyote predation is a significant concern for livestock producers across Alberta, due to considerable economic losses, especially during the calving season; and

WHEREAS according to the Government of Alberta, the coyote is the major predator of livestock in Alberta, accounting for over 75% of all predation losses each year; and

WHEREAS current information and statistics on rural coyote predation losses are limited; and

WHEREAS the current provisions under the Agricultural Pest Act, which designate the coyote as a “nuisance” and provide authority for coyote control on a landowner’s property, are insufficient in mitigating the growing coyote population and the resulting livestock losses; and

WHEREAS the rapid increase in the coyote population exacerbates the predation problem, leading to greater financial strain on livestock producers;

Operative Clause:

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Rural Municipalities of Alberta request that the Government of Alberta review and amend the terms of the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program to include coyotes as a compensable species, thereby providing financial restitution to livestock producers for losses due to coyote predation.

Member Background:

In many rural municipalities, the ongoing issue of coyote predation on livestock has escalated, with coyote populations increasing rapidly each year.

The inclusion of coyotes in the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program is crucial for providing adequate support to livestock producers who suffer substantial losses due to coyote predation. As the coyote population continues to grow unchecked, the financial burden on livestock producers, particularly those in the cattle industry, becomes increasingly unsustainable. A comprehensive review and amendment of the compensation program, along with proactive monitoring and management strategies, will help mitigate these impacts and support the agricultural community in Alberta.

RMA Background:

RMA has no active resolutions directly related to this issue.

Government Response:

Alberta Environment and Protected Areas

As Resolution 16-24F falls under the purview of Forestry and Parks, I have forwarded your incoming letter to the Honourable Todd Loewen, for his consideration.

Alberta Forestry and Parks

The Government of Alberta has periodically reviewed and considered adding coyotes into the compensation program. Two separate third-party reviews addressed this issue in detail and provided recommendations to the Government of Alberta that coyotes not be included in compensation programs. These recommendations and other considerations concluded that:

the inclusion of coyotes as a “nuisance” species under the current Agricultural Pest Act provides for a different status for coyotes than other predators, with additional control resources and mechanisms for agricultural producers that exceed those provided for other wildlife;
these additional resources include provisions that allow rural municipalities the authority to assist producers experiencing livestock losses through direct control actions via a variety of mechanisms in order to alleviate predation from coyotes;
as coyotes can be shot on private land and public lands where livestock grazing is authorized throughout the year, many producers effectively carry out control activities themselves and utilize the trapping and hunting community to achieve population reductions. These partnerships are often successful when carried out on a regular basis. In cases, where normal actions to control coyotes have not been successful, producers may request a Damage Control Licence, which can authorize hunting activities and techniques outside of typical situations;
producers are encouraged to utilize the available resources as part of a predation mitigation plan where losses occur. The predation mitigation plan includes elements of livestock monitoring and husbandry and predation prevention and control measures. It may require adaptation and scaling throughout the year depending on the nature of predation risk; and
agricultural producer stakeholder groups have produced excellent, up-to-date resource materials on techniques to reduce predation risk.

At this time, there are no plans to expand the list of eligible predator species for the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program. I recognize your support in the efforts to provide additional support to the provincial Human-Wildlife Conflict Program.

Development:

The response from Alberta Forestry and Parks indicate that no further actions will be taken to address coyote predation.

A 2017 study on Agriculture and Livestock predation in Alberta found that among survey respondents, 74% reported that coyote was the species of most concern when asked about impacts and loss to livestock. Furthermore, coyote predation was repeatedly identified as the largest source of economic loss for producers, attributed largely to the lack of ineligibility of coyotes in the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program. Another study on the subject notes that Alberta’s original Livestock Predator Compensation Program covered coyotes until they were removed in 1981, likely due to provincial austerity measures, despite coyote predation accounting for the majority of compensation claims. Both research papers highlight the concerns raised by producers and the significant impacts on livestock due to coyote predation.

The government response references third party reviews of the issue and of the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program, which are not currently available to the public. RMA assigns this resolution a status of Intent Not Met and will continue advocating for amendments to the Wildlife Predator Compensation Program to include coyotes.

Provincial Ministries:

Agriculture and Irrigation, Environment and Protected Areas

Provincial Boards and Organizations:

None reported.

Federal Ministries and Bodies:

None reported.

Internal Notes:

None reported.