N.B. to launch deer donation pilot project to help feed low-income families
New Brunswick is launching a pilot project that will help to feed low-income families in the southwestern part of the province.
The deer donation program will begin this fall in Saint Andrews, N.B. It is expected to distribute up to 450 kilograms of ground venison and stew meat to those in need.
“Finding sources of high-protein foods is one of the biggest challenges for struggling families,” said Health Minister Dorothy Shephard. “This partnership allows for venison to be harvested by selected hunters and processed and distributed to a local food bank under Department of Health protocols.”
In a government news release on Wednesday, it says the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development has compiled a manual explaining the rules and guidelines licenced hunters must follow.
According to Mike Holland, minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development, the rules and guidelines are very detailed.
"Only very healthy animals will be accepted, and hunting will only be allowed on days cooler than 15 degrees. The handbook also addresses best practices for field dressing and transport. Once the hunter registers his tagged deer with us, all the meat from that animal can be traced all the way through, from the meat processor, to the food bank, to the consumer,” said Holland.
Plans were in place to launch the program last year, but Shephard asked that more food safety guidelines be put in place first.
“We wanted to do it right the first time, to see what other jurisdictions are doing to ensure that every step – from forest to table – could be implemented in ways that reduce potential food safety risks,” said Shephard.
Deer overpopulation is an ongoing problem in Saint Andrews, according to government officials.
Mayor Brad Henderson said it is not unusual to have up to 200 animals within town limits.
“There are no natural predators here,” said Henderson. “The deer destroy people’s gardens, but they have become more than just a nuisance animal; they are also responsible for many collisions with vehicles.”
The Town of Saint Andrews has been working with the provincial government for years to find ways to keep the deer numbers under control.
“Last year, 42 deer were killed within town limits as part of the nuisance hunt,” said Henderson. “If this deer donation program proves successful, it could mean families will be able to count on the annual cull to put meat on the table every winter.”
The Town of Saint Andrews, in collaboration with the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development and the Department of Health, developed the deer donation program.
Additional support has been provided by the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the Department of Justice and Public Safety, a local food bank, a licensed butcher and local hunters.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Premiers not being truthful about carbon tax, Trudeau says while sparks fly in Ottawa
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Conservative premiers across the country are 'not telling the truth' when it comes to the carbon tax. Trudeau's comments came as fresh sparks were flying in Ottawa at a recalled House of Commons committee.
A Nigerian woman reviewed some tomato puree online. Now she faces jail
A Nigerian woman who wrote an online review of a can of tomato puree is facing imprisonment after its manufacturer accused her of making a “malicious allegation” that damaged its business.
Far North police 'dispatch' polar bear stalking schoolyard
Police and local hunters in an Ontario Far North First Nation community have “dispatched” a polar that was showing abnormal behaviour and treating the area as a hunting ground.
Cargo ship had engine maintenance in port before Baltimore bridge collapse, officials say
The cargo ship that lost power and crashed into a bridge in Baltimore underwent 'routine engine maintenance' in port beforehand, the U.S. Coast Guard said Wednesday.
'Ninja,' Twitch's biggest streamer, is diagnosed with skin cancer
American gamer and Twitch superstar, Tyler 'Ninja' Blevins, revealed he was diagnosed with melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Donald Trump assails judge and his daughter after gag order in N.Y. hush-money criminal case
Donald Trump lashed out Wednesday at the New York judge who put him under a gag order that bars him from commenting publicly about witnesses, prosecutors, court staff and jurors in his upcoming hush-money criminal trial.
Here's what Trudeau says the upcoming federal budget will offer renters
The federal government will create a new 'Canadian Renters' Bill of Rights,' which would require landlords to disclose their properties' rental price history to prospective tenants.
Families shocked after Niagara Falls hotel cancels bookings made year in advance of solar eclipse
After having the foresight to book their Niagara Falls hotel rooms more than a year in advance, several families planning to take in the solar eclipse next month were shocked to find out their reservations had been cancelled.