At the end of last year, the Federal Government passed the Species at Risk Act. The new legislation came into effect on January 1, 2003. The Canadian Cattlemen's Association (CCA) has been lobbying and consulting on this legislation for the past 8 years, and is pleased to see that some of the points that the Association wanted are included. The Act recognizes the stewardship efforts of farmers and ranchers, encourages cooperation between the government and those who actually look after the land, and recognizes the need for compensation when a landowner or resource user loses income because of the presence of a species at risk.
The CCA will continue to lobby to ensure that compensation is adequate and will also work with the federal government to ensure that effective communications are in place to notify landowners that a species at risk may be located in their area.