Asking for a Moratorium on Expansions of Wild Boar Farming in Alberta

Resolution 5-24

Last January the ASBs passed a resolution asking that the province “amend the Alberta Agricultural Pests Act to require Minimum Containment Standards for Alberta Wild Boar Farms, with penalties to enforce noncompliance, and that Agriculture and Irrigation invoke a moratorium on expansions of Wild Boar Farming in Alberta, until the province makes a decision on the future of Wild Boar Farming in Alberta.”

AGI Response to Amending the Act

The response receive from Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation states that ” Although the Minimum Containment Standards for Alberta Wild Boar Farms are not explicitly mentioned in the Agricultural Pests Act (APA) or the Pest and Nuisance Control Regulation, the existing legislation does provide some enforcement of these standards. ” implying that there is no need to adjust the legislation.

Furthermore “Wild boar farms are inspected annually to ensure they meet the minimum containment standards. If needed, the Compliance Principles of Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation are followed to gain compliance with the minimum containment standards.”

AGI Response to the Requested Moratorium

“Wild boar farms are not licensed or regulated by the Government of Alberta. Currently, no existing mechanism exists through which the Government of Alberta could invoke a moratorium on either new wild boar farms or on the expansion of existing wild boar farms. Wild boar bylaws have been enacted in 22 of 69 rural municipalities. These vary by municipality and may include listing wild boar as a prohibited animal limiting the expansion of existing wild boar farms and banning the establishment of new wild boar farms.”

Aligning with Industry

Recently Alberta Pork, wrote to the Minister of AGI to request the following legislative changes: 

1. Legislation to ban wild boar, at-large or farmed, in Alberta
2. Legislative change to prohibit sport hunting of wild boar in Alberta
3. Legislative changes to prohibit the marketing or ownership of wild boar in Alberta
4. Stiff penalties for those that do not comply with the legislation”

The response from the Minister’s office was that although they want to protect the livestock industries, they were not pursing regulations that might shut down Alberta businesses.” Charlotte Shipp, Alberta Pork

Alberta Beef, Alberta Cattle Feeders, and Alberta Milk also sent in similar requests to the province.  

Further Reading

Pork Industry Wakes up to Counting Wild Boar

Invasive wild pigs: RDAR invests in protecting Alberta against threats to crops and livestock