NSW Farmers have urged the New South Wales (NSW) Government to resume pest animal control on public land by the end of the week or face serious biosecurity threats.
In a statement, NSW Farmers said it promptly contacted appropriate Ministers after learning that pest animal control had been stopped by the State Government, expressing worries that pest animals were not being treated as a serious problem.
NSW Farmers CEO Pete Arkle likened putting a stop to pest control measures to putting out half a fire, saying they’ll simply return, and in greater numbers.
“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,” Arkle stated.
According to NSW Farmers, pest animals cost the Australian economy, primary producers, land management, the environment, and remote towns a lot of money. The organisation said Individual farms and organisations are expected to spend $50 million per year on wild dog management, while feral pig intrusions cost the Australian agricultural economy up to $100 million annually.
NSW Farmers added that the greatest fear was the possibility of illnesses spreading 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,” Arkle said.
Arkle added that across the State, NSW Farmers members are reporting a rise in the number of wild dogs and pigs, while deer are increasing their range and feral cats are rising, killing 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,” Arkle stated.
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