Getting rid of wild boar in Alberta is one of three resolutions Red Deer County is proposing at the Provincial Agricultural Service Board Conference later this month.The three resolutions are among 19 being brought forward to the provincial conference Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 in Edmonton.Wild boars haven't been seen in the county since 2008, when about four sows and a dozen babies that were frequenting a farm in the area were successfully trapped, Art Preachuk, agricultural services manager for the county, said.In the resolution report, the Red Deer County agricultural service board proposes a similar trapping program be established at the provincial level to replace sporadic hunting. The resolution report states concerns over wild boars that can destroy crops, property and vehicles with their 500- to 750-pound frames.ìTrying to hunt them in the wild, it's near impossible. They're like greased lightning ñ they can run through the bush and the swamps and they disappear in the grain crops,î Preachuk said.Another Red Deer proposal is to drop the emergency registration clause for two per cent strychnine to control Richardson ground squirrel infestations.ìPermanent registration will allow proactive management and control of Richardson Ground Squirrel infestations instead of reacting to situations when they are out of control,î the resolution reads.The county's ag service board also wants the province to step up enforcement of retail sale of noxious or prohibited weeds. Last year, the county spent more than $2,500 getting rid of flowering rush in a creek, a plant that can block water. ìWhen we did some further research on flowering rush, (we) found it for sale on numerous websites for under $10,î the background report explains.Meanwhile, neighbouring Mountain View County isn't facing the same concerns as Red Deer and won't be putting forward any resolutions to this year's provincial conference.Jane Fulton, agriculture service manager, said a local approach to curbing the sale of noxious and prohibited plants in the county has yielded positive results.ìMunicipalities and the province have been trying to ensure landowners and retailers are informed of the changes to the Act but is a continual process,î she wrote in an email. She said weed inspection staff frequent local retailers to ensure regulated weeds are not being sold and have provided retailers and growers with a list of provincially regulated weeds. She also said the county hosts workshops, and produces articles to educate everyone.As to the issue of wild boars, she said Mountain View County heard of one sighting earlier this year and none the previous year. ìThe lack of reported sightings indicate we do not have a large population of wild boar within the county,î Fulton said.On the issue of wild boars, she said Mountain View County heard of one sighting in 2011 but none the year before. ìThe lack of reported sightings indicate we do not have a large population of wild boar within the county.î She does, however, advise anyone who notices wild boars roaming in the county to report it, so they can get a better idea of the population.Resolutions will be brought forward for debate at the Edmonton conference. They are passed or defeated by a simple majority with the exception to resolutions asking for change to legislation or for acceptance of an emergent resolution, for which a three-fifth majority is required.
