May 23, 2011
A petition calling on governments to improve measures to combat the damaging effects of wild dogs has gathered significant support from the East Gippsland community.
The 700 signature strong petition was last week presented to local MPs Darren Chester and Tim Bull during their ‘Meet Your MP’ tour visit to Swifts Creek.
Mr Chester and Mr Bull have been working with communities across East Gippsland in relation to the impact wild dogs are having on farming families and have been representing their views in State and Federal Parliament.
“After more than 10 years of neglect, we understand the need for a better system of tackling the wild dog problem in East Gippsland,” Mr Bull said.
“At last year’s election The Nationals committed to introducing aerial baiting and a bounty system as new measures to reduce wild dog numbers in the region.
“Under the Baillieu-Ryan Government, the aerial baiting program will begin in May 2012 with local wild dog committees to be restructured in the meantime to allow for greater local input and the development of local area plans.
“Aerial baiting will operate in conjunction with the new bounty and existing wild dog and fox control methods such as trapping, exclusion fencing, den fumigation and shooting.”
Mr Chester said he would also take the petition to Canberra and again highlight the need for a coordinated national approach to control feral animals, particularly wild dogs.
“Strong market prices for lamb and beef mean wild dogs are having a bigger impact than ever on the bottom line for local farmers,” Mr Chester said.
“Local farmers have recounted some horrific accounts of damage and stock losses caused by wild dogs and I’m fully supportive of measures to help them tackle the problem.
“I’ve raised the issue in Federal Parliament in the past, and I’ll be continuing to push the case in Canberra for additional Commonwealth funding for a national approach to better assist the States to develop localised programs to reduce wild dog numbers.”