Regulation Proposal Notice.doc (35.5 KB)please read the last attachment this ebr posting will allow farmers to set snares all over ontario
Regulation Proposal Notice: EBR Registry Number: 012-4735
Title:
Amendments to Ontario Regulation 667/98 (Trapping) made under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to regulate the use of relaxing cable restraints for trapping in Ontario Ministry:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Date Proposal loaded to the Registry:
August 12, 2015
Keyword(s): Fish and Wildlife | Conservation
Comment Period: 47 days: submissions may be made between August 12, 2015 and September 28, 2015.
Description of Regulation:
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act and Ontario Regulation (O. Reg.) 667/98 (Trapping) specify the rules associated with trapping across the province. Trappers may only use trapping devices that are approved and regulated by law in Ontario. Trappers operate on registered trap lines on Crown lands and can trap on private property with the landowners’ permission. The possession and use of traps is restricted to licensed trappers and farmers in Ontario.
Relaxing cable restraint (RCR) is a live capture cable device used in other jurisdictions that is designed to hold an animal in place without causing mortality. RCRs allow for the release of non-target animals (e.g., dogs, livestock) in the event they are captured. Target animals are humanely dispatched by the licensed trapper. RCRs are not currently authorized for use in Ontario.
Several municipalities, trapping and farming organizations have asked for RCRs to be legalized in Ontario to help manage conflicts with coyotes and avoid inadvertently capturing or killing non-target species. Ontario farmers/producers often hire trappers to target and remove coyotes due to predation of livestock.
In 2012/13, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) collaborated on a research study to test the effectiveness of RCRs in capturing coyotes, and the ability to safely release non-target species and domestic pets. The research study found that RCRs were effective for the intended purpose. The detailed results of this study were published in Canadian Wildlife Biology Management in 2014 (see link below).
Ontario’s overall policy approach related to addressing conflict with wildlife, as a public resource, is to provide landowners with the tools and information to prevent and mitigate conflict and associated damage. The Strategy for Preventing and Managing Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Ontario provides overarching policy direction to address human-wildlife conflict in Ontario.
MNRF is proposing to make regulatory amendments under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to regulate the use of RCRs in Ontario, specifically:
• For use by licenced trappers and farmers,
• For use across Ontario in areas with an open trapping season for coyote/wolf, except during deer seasons in southern, central and parts of northeastern Ontario where dogs are allowed,
• For use in protection of property, and
• To define the technical specifications of the device (locking mechanism, breakaway release and cable lengths) in consideration of animal welfare and to help avoid non-target species.
Purpose of Regulation:
To seek input on proposed regulatory amendments to made under Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act to regulate the use of relaxing cable restraints for trapping in Ontario.
Other Information:
The following web links provide additional supporting information.
• Proposed area and season for RCR use in Ontario:
apps.mnr.gov.on.ca/public/files/er/rcr_map.pdf • A link to the trapping regulation (667/98):
www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/980667 • Ontario Hunting Regulations Summary (Wolf and Coyote Regulation – Page 83-84):
www.ontario.ca/document/ontario-hunting-regulations-summary • Evaluation of cable restraints to live-capture coyotes (Canis latrans) in southern Ontario, Canada. 2014. Canadian Wildlife Biology and Management, Volume 3, Number 1, Page 22-29.
cwbm.ca/Articles/Vol3No1_Article3.pdf Public Consultation:
This proposal has been posted for a 47 day public review and comment period starting August 12, 2015. If you have any questions, or would like to submit your comments, please do so by September 28, 2015 to the individual listed under "Contact". Additionally, you may submit your comments on-line.
All comments received prior to September 28, 2015 will be considered as part of the decision-making process by the Ministry if they are submitted in writing or electronically using the form provided in this notice and reference EBR Registry number 012-4735.
Please Note: All comments and submissions received will become part of the public record. You will not receive a formal response to your comment, however, relevant comments received as part of the public participation process for this proposal will be considered by the decision maker for this proposal.
Other Public Consultation Opportunities:
The Ministry may conduct additional consultation through focused stakeholder meetings with interested parties.
Regulatory Impact Statement:
The anticipated environmental and social consequences of the proposal are neutral. Existing trapping licensing requirements, trapping seasons and licence harvest quotas will be maintained with no changes. The proposed use of RCRs is restricted to licensed trappers and farmers and proper use is expected to avoid inadvertently capturing or killing non-target species (e.g. pets, livestock, non-target wildlife).
The anticipated economic consequences of the proposal are positive. Ontario farmers and producers have requested that RCRs be legalized for use, as they often hire trappers to target and remove coyotes due to predation of livestock. The proposed use of RCRs is expected to help Ontario farmers and producers better address livestock predation concerns.
