March 22, 2012
The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has accused the Federal Environment Department of ‘tying Victorians in green tape’ with its refusal to approve a trial of aerial baiting for wild dogs.
Speaking in Federal Parliament, Mr Chester said the Victorian Government’s proposed trial of aerial baiting had been put on hold because of the Commonwealth’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act.
A Federal Government spokesman is quoted as claiming the major concern was a potential significant impact on native quolls, which has been rejected by Mr Chester.
“In fairness to the Minister for Environment – he hasn’t rejected the application – but this delaying tactic by his Department is effectively a death warrant for native species and valuable livestock,” Mr Chester told Parliament.
“Without immediate Commonwealth approval, the window of opportunity will close, to undertake an autumn aerial baiting campaign.
“The aerial baiting trial was due to start in May and was timed to hit young dogs as they are on the prowl and seeking a good feed before the leaner winter months.
“It’s now likely that the Victorian Government will miss the autumn baiting season as the Federal Environment Department continues to exercise its extraordinary power over activities which many in regional areas find excessive and contrary to the sustainable and practical management of the environment.”
Mr Chester said a research project undertaken by the NSW Government had alleviated concerns about the impact on quolls from aerial baiting.
“The research work has been done in the past – there is a report from the NSW Government which found ‘that aerial baiting had a minimal impact on the quoll populations studied’,” Mr Chester said.
“The report continued with the finding: ‘This research suggests that aerial baiting is unlikely to have an impact on quoll populations. In fact, aerial baiting which suppresses local fox and dog populations may benefit quolls in an area’.”
Mr Chester accused the Department of being “off on a green tape frolic that is unsupported by the research and will harm the economy and the environment.”
“Every day that we stop this aerial baiting in Victoria, is another day that wild dogs feast on native wildlife and kill livestock,” he said.
“A report into the cost of wild dog attacks put the economic impact at $18 million per year in Victoria alone – but there’s no doubt the true cost is much higher. The Federal Department’s intervention is unhelpful and sends a terrible message to the community.
“The Federal Environment Department should get out of the way and let the Victorian Government implement its trial which will have social, economic and environmental benefits in regional Victoria.”