Agriculture Wildlife Program (AWP)

Who is eligible?

• Agriculture producers with eligible harvested crops
• Agriculture producers with eligible unharvested crops
• Agricultural, livestock and agri-food producers seeking protection against crop loss or damage caused by wildlife

Eligible expenses

The Agriculture Wildlife Program offers compensation to agriculture producers for wildlife-related damage to certain crops. The program specifically covers losses caused by several wildlife species, provided the producers follow best management practices.

• Compensation for damage to harvested and unharvested crops due to bison, bear, cranes, deer, elk, moose, mountain sheep, and waterfowl.

Eligible geographic areas

• Agricultural operations located in British Columbia, Canada.

There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Agriculture Wildlife Program grant:

• Proof of BC Assessment Farm Status
• Private land ownership and/or lease confirmation along with a tax reporting number for any potential payments

• Step 1: Contact local Agriculture Wildlife Program office
  • Contact your nearest office using the listed phone numbers (e.g., Abbotsford, Dawson Creek, Ft. St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Oliver, Williams Lake) to obtain information on how to enroll in the Agriculture Wildlife Program and how to file a claim for wildlife damage.
  • Ask for specific instructions and required documentation to report crop loss or damage due to eligible wildlife.
• Step 2: Provide proof of eligibility documentation
  • Provide proof of BC Assessment Farm Status as requested by the program.
  • Provide proof of private land ownership and/or lease confirmation, along with a tax reporting number for any potential payments, as instructed by program staff.
• Step 3: Enrollment through production insurance (if applicable)
  • If you purchase production insurance, you will be automatically enrolled in the Agriculture Wildlife Program.
  • Contact the program or your insurance representative if you need clarification on your automatic enrollment status.
• Step 4: Report crop loss and request compensation
  • Contact your local office to report crop loss or damage due to wildlife and request information on how to submit a compensation claim.
  • Follow the instructions provided by the local office to complete and submit any required forms or information related to your loss.
• Step 5: Predator compensation (livestock only, if relevant)
  • If your livestock has been attacked by a predator, contact the predator compensation line for information on how to obtain compensation.
  • Use the telephone contact numbers provided (250 861-7211 or toll-free 1 888 332-3352) to receive instructions on the process and how to submit your claim.

• Compensation is available for wildlife damage to both harvested and unharvested crops.
• Only damage caused by specified wild species (including bison, bear, cranes, deer, elk, moose, mountain sheep and waterfowl) that are not held in captivity is considered.
• Enrolment in production insurance results in automatic enrolment in the Agriculture Wildlife Program.
• The program information was last updated on June 4, 2024, which may affect current terms or processes.