NLIS 10
July 18, 2000
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

Migratory bird enforcement inadequate

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods, recently expressed his concern regarding migratory bird enforcement in this province. Mr. Aylward stated: "Although the federal government is constitutionally responsible for enforcement of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, it only has one full time permanent and one part time seasonal enforcement staff for the entire province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"This province, with its vast coastline and multitude of inland waters, is extremely important for migratory birds. As such, in order to assist the federal government with its migratory bird enforcement efforts in the province, this department has, in the past signed an annual cooperative enforcement agreement with the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) since 1991. Under the agreement, CWS provided a modest financial commitment of $8,000 to $15,000 annually to this department and in return the department committed to allowing its approximately 120 conservation officers to enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Through this agreement, we feel the migratory bird enforcement program has been enhanced. However, we feel this commitment falls short of an effective and efficient enforcement program."

In 1999, the province once again, participated in a cooperative enforcement agreement with CWS, however it did so with the understanding that further negotiations would take place with regard to more substantive funding from CWS in future years. Unfortunately, despite further talks, no extra funding has been committed by CWS to date.

The Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods is now reviewing its involvement with migratory bird enforcement in the province. Mr. Aylward said: "Our conservation officers are extremely busy with various duties and responsibilities falling under the jurisdiction of their own department. Also, given current budgetary restraints, the province finds that it can no longer continue to participate in the cooperative enforcement program unless more significant and substantial funding is provided by the federal government. To this end, I am optimistic that communication links between the department and CWS will continue with the hopes of finding more federal funding for future cooperative migratory bird enforcement agreements. I want to stress that the end result will have to be adequate to protect this valuable natural resource for all people of Newfoundland and Labrador and all Canadians."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, (709) 729-6183, fax: (709) 729-2076.

2000 07 18                         4:45 p.m.