March 10, 2011
The issue of wild dogs prompted strong and passionate views from the broader East Gippsland community this week at a community forum organised by the Victorian Farmers Federation.
Local MPs Darren Chester and Tim Bull as well as Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Industries Bill Sykes joined key representatives from the VFF including President Andrew Broad, Livestock Group President Chris Nixon, Regional Manager Ken Bailey and staff from the Department of Primary Industries at the meeting.
A recent report has highlighted the huge cost to farmers caused by wild dogs, placing it at $18 million a year across Gippsland, the north east and the Goulbourn region.
Mr Bull said strong and passionate views as well as first hand accounts of the destruction cause by wild dogs were put forward by local farmers at the meeting.
“Clearly there is a need for change in relation to wild dog control. That was recognised by all parties at the meeting and I look forward to a fresh approach that will better combat this problem.
“The meeting was a constructive way of getting the key stakeholders in the one room to discuss a way forward.
“Local farmers recounted some horrific accounts of damage and stock losses caused by wild dogs.
“There is particularly strong support for more flexible working arrangements for wild dog controllers on the ground so that they can better tackle the problem.”
Mr Chester has previously called on the Federal Government to develop a national approach to control feral animals, particularly wild dogs. He said strong market prices for lamb and beef has meant that wild dogs have a bigger impact on the bottom line for local farmers.
“Some farmers in the high country are suffering losses caused by wild dogs that have left them contemplating whether to continue farming,” Mr Chester said.
“It’s clear that they want action and the Victorian Coalition is committed to bringing an end to the previous State Labor Government’s refusal to implement aerial baiting as an important control measure.
“Aerial baiting is already used successfully in other parts of the country, including New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.”
The Victorian Coalition Government plans to introduce a series of measures to reduce the impact of wild dogs on farmers, including:
* Aerial baiting
* Reinvigorating wild dog management committees to increase their effectiveness and participation in decision-making on wild dogs;
* Maintaining the 24 doggers already employed by the Victorian Government;
* Lobbying the Federal Government to create a national threat abatement plan for wild dogs.
* Establishing a $4 million fox and wild dog bounty, making all licensed shooters eligible for a $50 bounty for every wild dog and $10 for every fox killed.
Anyone interested in the report highlighting the cost of wild dogs to farmers can do so online at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/wilddogreport