New regulations in Alberta make it easier for elk farmers to recover escaped animals and qualify for in-surance.
However, it also potentially puts them on the hook for damages caused by elk on the lam.
Previously, producers had 48 hours to recover their escaped elk. Those that remained missing for longer than that were considered wild animals and could be hunted.
Under the new rules, farmers are permanently recognized as the owners of the escaped elk, which will help them qualify for proper insurance.
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“(Elk farmers) have felt like they’re a little bit in one atmosphere and a little bit in another,” said provincial agriculture minister Verlyn Olson.
“Sometimes they feel like their animals are being treated like wild animals and farmed animals. These regulations clarify things.”
It also clarifies things for elk hunters.
Olson said hunters will not be liable if they shoot a farmed elk, but they must report such kills.
Connie Seutter, chair of the Alberta Elk Commission, said the changes are welcomed.
“It’s been on our producers’ minds for a very long time.
“I’m glad we can finally come to our annual convention and tell them it’s done.”
The regulatory changes also have critics.
Alberta Liberal agriculture critic Laurie Blakeman is concerned that chronic wasting disease could contaminate wild herds if infected farmed elk escape. Being able to track escaped animals is important, she added.
“We need to take chronic wasting disease seriously. We’re still being told it’s not happening, but it’s everywhere in Saskatchewan and it’s going to come across and many people believe it already has,” she said.
Seutter said 50,000 heads of farmed elk have been tested since one case was found in 2002, and none were positive.
“To put out the notion our animals will infect the wild animals is completely unfounded,” she said.
