Growers need to understand state and federal laws governing management and control of wildlife and their impact on produce growing and handling areas.

Colorado Nuisance Wildlife Laws: Summaries of Colorado’s most common regulations and statutes pertaining to nuisance wildlife questions.

• Full text of these regulations: http://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Regulations.aspx.
• Definition of game damage: http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Regulations/Ch17.pdf

Endangered Species Search the database for endangered species and their habitats. Note that the Produce Safety Rule does not authorize the taking of any threatened or endangered species, defined under the Endangered Species Act.

Wildlife Damage Management: Information on damage identification and abatement using habitat modification, frightening devices and biological, repellent and auditory, visual and other techniques to reduce food safety risks presented by birds and mammals (USDA-APHIS-Wildlife Services).

Game Damage Program, Colorado Parks & Wildlife: Resources to prevent and identify crop damage from big game species.

Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management Research-based information on how to manage wildlife damage and resolve human-wildlife conflicts.

Domesticated Animals Fact Sheet Managing challenges posed by domesticated animals on farms. Includes best practices.

• Animal Activity Decision Tree (English, Spanish) by CSU Extension.
• Track and Scat Glovebox Guide (for Southwest AZ) by Dametreea L. Carr, Kaylee J. Renick, Elissa Malott, Paula Rivadeneira, Jean McLain, Kurt D. Nolte and Channah M. Rock. University of Arizona.
• What is the Risk from Wild Animals in Food-Borne Pathogen Contamination of Plants? by Michele Jay-Russell, 2013. CAB Reviews 2013 8, No. 040.
• Potential Role of Wildlife in Pathogenic Contamination of Fresh Produce by Jeff A. Langholz and Michele Jay-Russell. In Human-Wildlife Interactions 7(1): 140-157, Spring 2013.
• Feral in the Fields: Food Safety Risks from Wildlife by Michele Jay-Russell. Food Safety News 19 Sep 2011.
• Evaluation of Techniques to Reduce Deer and Elk Damage to Agricultural Crops Wildlife Society Bulletin; DOI: 10.1002/wsb.408.

Balancing food safety and sustainability goals is a vital goal of produce industry management. Under the Produce Safety Rule, co-management is encouraged but not required. On their farms, growers are active stewards of the land, protecting soil and water quality as well as supporting wildlife populations by preserving their habitat. At the same time, they must ensure that their crops are free from contamination that can cause foodborne illnesses. Use the resources below to learn more about co-management.

• Co-Management of Food Safety and Sustainability in Fresh Produce (video; UC Davis)
• Co-Management of Food Safety and Sustainability: more resources including fact sheets and food safety auditor information (University of California, UC Food Safety)
• A Farmers Guide to Food Safety and Conservation (updated fact sheet; Wild Farm Alliance & Community Alliance with Family Farmers)
• Co-Managing Farm Stewardship with Food Safety GAPs and Conservation Practices (The Wild Farm Alliance)