Bird and beast damage countermeasures taken by national and local governments

In recent years, damage to crops by beasts such as wild boars and deer and birds such as crows and pigeons has occurred frequently, mainly in hilly and mountainous areas. The amount of damage nationwide was about 15.8 billion yen in 2018, and the situation continues to be so serious that farmers lose their motivation to farm.

In addition to damage to crops, various damages other than those mentioned above have occurred, such as encroachment into residential areas, collisions between vehicles and animals, and damage to houses.

Summary of 2020 agriculture, forestry and fisheries budget

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, based on the "Law Concerning Special Measures for Prevention of Damage to Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, etc. by Wildlife", implements measures led by municipalities in areas where damage has occurred. We are providing support.

There are two types of support : "A: Bird damage prevention comprehensive countermeasures subsidy" and "B: Emergency countermeasure project for forest damage caused by deer ."

The above policy goals are to strengthen the capture of deer, wild boar, and monkeys, which are causing serious damage to agricultural crops, and to expand the amount of game used by wild animals.

A: Regarding subsidies for comprehensive countermeasures against wildlife damage

This is a subsidy to comprehensively support efforts based on the "Damage Prevention Plan" created mainly by each municipality. The budget for FY2020 is approximately 10 billion yen.
▶ Example of wildlife damage prevention plan (Kobe City)

Examples of projects eligible for support

Purchase of equipment for wildlife damage control, support for environmental management and capture activity expenses, improvement of capture efficiency using ICT, training of human resources for capture and processing, introduction of equipment to expand the use of wild game meat and new uses etc. will be supported. For example:

(1) Comprehensive bird damage countermeasures

・Installation/restructuring of intrusion prevention fences and introduction of trapping equipment
・Management of habitat environment for pests by mowing, etc. ・Direct support for capture activity expenses ・Support for development and introduction of advanced capture technology facilities ・Support for development and introduction of incineration facilities ・Support for new technology demonstration activities, etc.

(2) Efficient capture

・Utilize ICT to reduce labor and improve efficiency of capture work using traps

(3) Human resource development for captors and processing facilities

・OJT training at capture and processing sites

④ Efforts to expand the use of gibier

・Acquisition of knowledge necessary for certification of domestic gibier (improvement of hygiene management)
・Introduction of equipment necessary for hygiene management such as metal detectors
・Bringing in goods from a wide area by introducing gibier cars
・Support promotional efforts to expand demand for gibier nationwide

⑤ Investigation of new uses for unused parts, etc.

・Aim to expand the amount of gibier used by making effective use of parts that would have been discarded in pet food, etc. (including surveys of new uses, etc.)

B: Project for emergency measures against forest damage caused by deer

The policy goal is to keep the rate of change in forest damage caused by deer in the project area below the average rate of change in the surrounding area. The budget for FY2020 is approximately 160 million yen.

Business content

A model capture will be carried out in areas where deer damage is serious. In addition, manuals for trapping methods will be developed, and new trapping techniques using ICT will be developed and demonstrated.

As for the business flow, there are cases where the national government provides a fixed amount of subsidy to prefectures, and there are cases where the national government subsidizes necessary expenses in the form of entrusting the business to private organizations.

Examples of implementation of model capture, etc.

・Sensors are installed to detect capture, and ICT is used to notify capturers of deer entry status, and remote control of traps.

Prefectural measures

Although the above is a national policy, there are cases where prefectures issue subsidies to municipalities, councils, agricultural cooperatives, etc. in order to prevent crop damage from wild birds and animals. Examples of projects eligible for grants include community-wide environmental improvement, measures to prevent intrusion, and measures to reduce the number of individuals.

How can individuals receive assistance?

Municipalities use the grants from the above-mentioned single prefectures and the national treasury as financial resources to establish project budgets, and subsidize regional councils and farmers based on these budgets. *Please check with the department in charge of your municipality for details as the content of the project and the subsidy rate may differ depending on the municipality .

Examples of subsidies

Sodegaura City, Chiba Prefecture

There is a subsidy for those who newly acquire a trapping license and engage in harmful wildlife capture business.

Subsidy amount

Two-thirds of the fee for the trap hunting license test and the tuition fee for the beginner hunting course (up to 10,000 yen)
* Reception is within the budget, on a first-come, first-served basis

Application method

We fill in matter necessary for application and bring to agriculture and forestry promotion section beforehand. ※About application, application is sent if you can contact agriculture and forestry promotion section. [Reference] Sodegaura City Homepage

Shirakawa City, Fukushima Prefecture

A part of the cost of purchasing fenced traps for farmers and foresters who do not have a hunting license, and fence traps and box traps for those who do not have a hunting license subsidy.

Target audience

・Those who have an address in the city and have not delinquently paid city taxes, etc. at the time of application. Those who can manage and those who want to acquire box traps must have a hunting license.

Subsidy amount

1/3 of subsidized expenses (upper limit is 50,000 yen)

Application method

Submit various application forms to the Agriculture and Forestry Management Section of the Agriculture and Forestry Development Division. [Reference] Shirakawa City Homepage

Kyogoku Town, Hokkaido

In order to protect the agriculture and forestry industry from damage caused by raccoons, Yezo deer, etc., measures to prevent intrusion are being disseminated and capture systems are being strengthened.

Target audience

Those who have an address in Kyogoku-cho and can understand and cooperate in preventing the expansion of raccoon habitat and intrusion/settlement.

Subsidy amount

Within 80% of purchase price of box trap (metal)

Application method

Apply by attaching the quote from the purchase store to the application for issuance. [Reference] Kyogoku Town Homepage

summary

In order to prevent wildlife damage, various subsidies are being implemented through the national government, prefectures, and municipalities. Inohoi also accepts requests for purchase estimates, so please feel free to contact us if you need assistance.