Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program

Overview

To protect the economy, the environment, and animal and human health, the government has declared wild boar and their hybrids to be a pest throughout Alberta, not just when at large.

The Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program compensates wild boar producers, hobby farmers, and others who own wild boar or wild boar hybrids for their animals and investments in fencing made to meet the Minimum Containment Standards for Alberta Wild Boar Farms.

The program includes several inspection and payout milestones, with the timelines tailored to each applicant based on their agreed upon Herd Dispersal Plan. Program participants must disperse all animals by a specified date. Dispersal timelines are dependent on the ability to stop breeding.

Program details

Funding

• Submission of a completed application does not guarantee that the applicant will receive payment under this program.

The program offers payment, with proof of dispersal, for wild boar or wild boar hybrids that are lawfully removed from an operation or farm by export from Alberta, sale to a grandfathered Form 6.1 permitholder, slaughter for meat (on or off farm), depopulation on farm, or through any other method of dispersal approved by the Minister.

No payments will be made for wild boar or wild boar hybrids released into the wild, which is an offence under the Agricultural Pests Act.

The payment amounts are:

• $590 per eligible animal
• The amount shown in the table below for each linear foot of eligible fencing

Payments will be made at the following points during the Program (see Program Steps):

• Payments for eligible fencing will be made following the First Inspection
• Payments for eligible animals will be made
  • Following the Second Inspection for any animals dispersed between the First and Second Inspections
  • Following the Final Inspection for any animals dispersed between the Second and Final Inspections

Eligibility

To be eligible for this program, applicants must own and operate an eligible operation located in Alberta.

Eligible Operations

• Commercial wild boar farm
• Hobby farm
• Animal Rescue
• Zoo
• Any other type of farm or operation approved by the Minister

Premise Identification Number (PID)

An applicant must have a PID that lists wild boar as a species of animal that will be present on the premises or must have an active application for such a PID as of the time of application to the Program.

Eligible Animals

To be eligible for payment under the program, animals must be:

• Present in Alberta before December 1, 2025
• Wild boar or wild boar hybrids with 25% or greater wild boar ancestry
• Located at an eligible operation at the time of the First Inspection, or be a piglet born at the eligible operation between the First and Second Inspections

Eligible Fencing

To be eligible for payment under the program, fencing must:

• Meet the Minimum Containment Standards for Alberta Wild Boar Farms
• Have been built or maintained at the cost of the applicant

Program Steps

Once you are accepted into the program you must complete the following steps:

First Inspection

During the First Inspection, an Inspector will confirm that your animals are wild boar or wild boar hybrids, count the eligible animals, and assess the eligible fencing.

Herd Dispersal Plan

You will be asked to provide a plan describing how you will disperse your animals. You will be provided with a form to help you complete this step once you are accepted into the program.

Second Inspection

During the Second Inspection, an Inspector will re-count the eligible animals. This allows any piglets born between the First and Second inspection to be eligible for payment.

Final Inspection

An Inspector will complete a final inspection once you have finished dispersing your animals to confirm that there are no longer any wild boar or wild boar hybrids present at your operation.

Before you apply

Payments are not guaranteed until proof has been received that animals have been dispersed according to the Terms and Conditions of the Program. You will not be paid for animals dispersed before your application has been accepted and you have had your First Inspection.

How to apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Determine whether you are eligible by reviewing the Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program Terms and Conditions. Confirm that your operation, animals, and fencing are eligible for payment.

Step 2: Complete the application form

Complete and sign the Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program Application form.

To request an application form, email [email protected] or call 780-996-3373.

Step 3: Submit the application form

Submit the completed Application Form by February 27, 2026 by:

Email

[email protected]

Mail

Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program
201, 5030-50 Street
Olds, Alberta T4H 1S1

Fax

780-422-4513
Attention: Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program

What happens next

Confirmation your application has been received

• If you email your application: you will be notified by email that your application has been received.
  • If you do not receive a response, contact the program for confirmation your application was received.
• If you mail your application: you will be notified by telephone that your application has been received.
  • If you do not receive a response, contact the program for confirmation your application was received.
• If your application is missing information: you will be notified via email or telephone and asked to submit the missing information.

Once your application has been reviewed for eligibility and completeness, an inspector will contact you by telephone to arrange your First Inspection. After the First Inspection has been scheduled you will receive a Letter of Acceptance into the Program which will include important dates and other information.

Resources

Program documents

• Grandfathering of Wild Boar Farms
• Wild boar – an invasive pest in Alberta
• Wild Boar On-Farm Exit Program
• Wild Boar on-Farm Exit Program terms and conditions
• Changes to wild boar management in Alberta – Information for live auction markets, provincially licenced slaughter operations, and transporters

Contact

For general program inquiries or questions about existing applications email [email protected] or call 780-996-3373

For general inquiries:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)

Toll free: 310-FARM (3276) (in Alberta)
Phone: 403-742-7901 (outside Alberta)

Report wild boar

Squeal on Pigs to help protect Alberta from wild boar! Report all sightings and signs of wild boar activity.

1. Safely take a picture.
2. Note the location.
3. Fill in our online reporting form:

Report a sighting