The Invasive Species Council has welcomed the NSW government’s decision to issue a General Biosecurity Direction for pig control, requiring public and private landholders in the Walgett region to participate in a coordinated feral pig eradication program, with landholders who fail to comply facing fines of up to $220,000 for individuals and $440,000 for corporations.
The Council says this is the first time the Biosecurity Act 2015 has been used as Parliament intended for pigs or deer, but warns the hunting lobby’s criticism of the program risks undermining one of the few proven ways to eradicate invasive species before they become widespread.
‘We’ve waited more than a decade to see these essential powers used, and it’s fantastic to finally see New South Wales giving coordinated eradication the tools it needs to succeed,’ Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough said.
‘We’ve seen this approach work in South Australia, where legal obligations on landholders are backed by government coordination and investment to support landscape-scale pest animal control. And this is the benchmark for the rest of Australia.
‘You cannot eradicate invasive species if participation is optional. Feral pigs don’t recognise property boundaries, so it only takes a handful of government or private landholders refusing to participate to undermine everyone else’s efforts.
‘For too long State Forests have been effectively managed as game parks, crown lands have failed to properly fund feral animal control and some landholders have refused to participate – either because they object or because they are absent land managers.
‘This direction will ensure the excellent efforts of National Parks and many landholders are not undermined by those who leave pockets of pests on their land.
‘Pigs act like mini bulldozers, trashing, trampling and polluting our land and riverbanks. They breed so quickly that only coordinated and sustained control using the full array of aerial shooting, ground shooting, baiting and trapping across all land tenures can make an impact.
‘It’s deeply telling that the Shooters Party and hunting lobby are campaigning against this – one of the few proven tools for eradicating invasive species. Once again, they are putting the interests of recreational hunting ahead of effective feral animal control.
‘The overwhelming majority of landholders already do the right thing. These powers simply ensure a small minority can’t jeopardise an eradication effort that benefits farmers, native wildlife and neighbouring properties.
‘The same approach could help stop feral pig populations becoming entrenched in other regions, prevent feral deer spreading further west, and strengthen coordinated management wherever eradication is still within reach.
‘Good biosecurity relies on investment, education and clear rules, and all three are essential if we’re serious about protecting agriculture and the environment from invasive species.
‘We commend Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty for taking this important first step. We urge the Government to stay the course and not be distracted by voices opposing one of the few proven tools for eradicating invasive species.’
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