Farmers in New Brunswick who lose either livestock or crops to wildlife will be able to apply starting in April for compensation through a new federal/provincial program.

Premier David Alward announced the program Thursday in Fredericton during the Agricultural Alliance of New Brunswick’s annual meeting, as a way “to address ongoing concerns of farmers” about such damage, the province said in a release.

Details weren’t immediately available for the program, which will be cost-shared through the federal/provincial Growing Forward 2 framework and will “provide assistance to farmers who experience damage to eligible products or animals due to the activities of wildlife.”

“Eligible products” are defined as plants, trees and vines grown as commercial crops. Farmed livestock, including dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goats, are also to be covered under the program, as are beehives and beehive contents,.

Livestock damages eligible for compensation must be caused by black bears, foxes, coyotes, ravens, crows or birds of prey, the province said. Damage caused by dogs is “excluded.” — AGCanada.com Network