Expanding compensation, controlling RGS population among resolutions voted on at SARM Mid-Term Convention

Of the four agriculture-related resolutions introduced at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) Mid-Term Convention Wednesday, two of them passed.

 

One called for producers to be compensated for damage to their grain bags, caused by wildlife. Furthermore, it called on SARM to lobby the federal and provincial governments to expand or amend the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program to include compensation for animal related damage to grain bags, as well as to lobby the Ministry of Agriculture to improve measures or cost-shared programs to help producers protect grain bags.

 

It was a close vote but it was approved with 51.16 per cent in favour.

Another approved resolution was submitted by the R.M. of Blaine Lake. It wants SARM to lobby the federal and provincial governments for better alternatives to strychnine or re-introduce strychnine until a better cost-effective alternative is found. 

 

The resolution also called on SARM to lobby the province and Ministry of Agriculture to implement legislation that would govern the control of the overpopulation of Richardson's Ground Squirrel (RGS) and measures to  reduce the overpopulation. It passed with 91 per cent of delegates in favour.

 

The two resolutions that were defeated wanted SARM to advocate for the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program to include compensation for damage of pasture land and crops due to wildlife.