Farmers encountering endangered species on the farm can face serious financial repercussions due to the loss of the use of their farmland.
That’s because once a species is considered a Species at Risk in Ontario (SARO), it receives automatic protection for both the species itself, and for its habitat.
The Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) will be seeking amendments to the Endangered Species Act, 2007 that would help address the important issues of biodiversity, while being respectful of farmers who rely on their land for their livelihood.
The Act came into force on June 30, 2008, and is supported by The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO), which is a government-appointed committee that determines which species of plant or animal should be added to the SARO list. There are five categories for species at risk, ranging from species considered “extinct” such as the passenger pigeon, to species of “special concern” such as the snapping turtle.
Members of the Species at Risk committee are required to have relevant scientific expertise or aboriginal traditional knowledge. While the committee reports to the Ministry of Natural Resources, species listed in its reports are automatically added to the SARO list, with no ministerial discretion, and can have significant implications to Ontario farmers and on-farm practices.
OFA would like the following changes to the Endangered Species Act, 2007:
1. COSSARO’s report should be a main point of consideration – but not the only consideration – in listing a species on the SARO list. Adding a species to the list should be at the Minister of Natural Resources’ discretion, and allow for the consideration of the socio-economic implications of the listing.
2. COSSARO’s listing decisions must reflect the overall global distribution and ranking of the species, including any factors contributing to species decline that are outside of Ontario’s jurisdiction to affect.
3. Membership on COSSARO should be expanded to include one person representing agricultural community knowledge, perhaps specifically from OFA.
4. Implementation of the “safe harbour” concept into the Endangered Species Act, which would encourage private property owners to create habitat for endangered and threatened species, free from habitat restrictions.
5. The Ministry of Natural Resources should thoroughly investigate the implications of focusing on the protection of ecosystem or habitat types in lieu of protecting the habitats of individual species.
OFA represents 37,000 farm business members and their families and is committed to working toward legislation that will preserve the environment while enabling prosperous and sustainable farms in Ontario.
Keith Currie is an executive member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
