After learning that shooting had been halted by the state government, NSW Farmers immediately contacted relevant ministers voicing concerns that pest animals were not being treated as a serious problem.
“Putting an immediate halt to pest control efforts is like trying to put out half a fire, they’ll simply come back again and in larger numbers,” NSW Farmers CEO Pete Arkle said.
“The state government has spent good money trying to tackle the problem of pest animals, but this decision could undo that spend.
“This is a risk to our biosecurity, productivity, and conservation efforts, and the government needs to deliver the prompt resumption of pest animal control.”
Pest animals are a significant cost to the Australian economy, primary producers, land managers, the environment, and regional communities.
It is estimated that management of wild dogs by individual farmers and agencies costs $50 million per year and feral pig incursions cost the Australian agricultural industry upwards of $100 million a year.
The biggest concern, however, is the risk of diseases that could easily spread among feral populations before infecting livestock.
“We’re already on high alert when it comes to biosecurity thanks to Varroa mite and the risk of foot and mouth and lumpy skin disease,” Mr Arkle said.
“Across the state, New South Wales Farmers members are reporting an increase in the number of wild dogs and pigs, while deer are expanding their territory and we’re seeing surging numbers of feral cats, which kill 1.8 billion native animals each year.
“This is absolutely the wrong time to stop pest animal control, it needs to resume by the end of the week.”
At the time of going to print yesterday, NSW Farmers had not received further advice on its request.
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