Under the Ontario Livestock, Poultry and Honey Bee Protection Act (LPHBPA), livestock, poultry and honey bee producers are entitled to make claims to their local municipality for livestock losses attributable to attacks by wildlife.

When the owner of livestock, poultry or honey bees believe that they have suffered a loss of livestock due to predation by wildlife, the owner  should notify the valuer for their local municipality within 48 hours of discovering the injury or death. If the producer doesn't know valuer, he or she can contact the Municipal Clerk. The Clerk, in turn will notify the municipal valuer of the producer's claim. The valuer will then immediately make a full investigation and submit a written report within 10 days to the Municipal Clerk. A copy of the report is also provided to the producer. The report will give full details regarding the extent of the damage to the livestock and the amount of the compensation claim awarded. The valuer must state in the report whether or not the livestock was killed or injured by eligible wildlife (see attached list for eligible wildlife).

Producers are also responsible for filing an affidavit with the Municipal Clerk within 10 days of notifying the clerk or valuer of the attack on their animals. The affidavit must contain a statement that to the best of the producer's knowledge, the animal in question was killed by eligible wildlife.

The owner of the livestock and poultry cannot destroy or dispose of the carcass of the livestock or poultry reported killed until the municipal valuer has seen the carcass and agrees that it can be disposed of. The one exception is if the owner of the livestock or poultry is required to dispose of the livestock because of requirements set out under Ontario Regulation 106/09.

The owner of the bee colony, beehive or beehive related equipment cannot destroy or dispose of the bee colony, beehive or beehive related equipment until the bee-valuer agrees that it can be disposed of.

Where it is determined that the claim is valid, the municipality is not liable to pay more than required by the regulations under the LPHBPA. Conversely, the municipality may not set the maximum amounts of compensation lower than those established in the regulations.

Maximum Compensation Values
List of Eligible Species

If a producer doesn't agree with the municipal valuer's report, he or she may appeal to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The producer must appeal in writing within 30 days of receiving the valuer's report. A cheque or money order for $25, payable to the "Ministry of Finance" must accompany the appeal. The $25 fee will be refunded to the producer, if the appeal is upheld.

For further information, please visit the OMAFRA website.