Joint media release: Coordination key to driving down impacts of feral animal

Minister for the Environment and Water, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator the Hon Murray Watt

Further funding has been awarded to four organisations to continue delivering the national pest animal management coordination program. The program is helping reduce impacts of feral pigs, deer, cats, foxes and wild dogs.

The four successful organisations, awarded $3.16 million in funding, are: 

• Australian Wool Innovation Ltd
• South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions
• Australian Pork Limited
• Invasive Animals Limited (trading as Centre for Invasive Species Solutions)

National management coordinators are taking on leadership roles, working with industry professionals, communities and First Nations land managers to reduce the impact these pests have on our agriculture and environment.

Pest animals can prey on native wildlife, newborn lambs, reduce crop yields, destroy habitats, damage fences, spread weeds and disease, and foul up fresh water.

National Action Plans have already been agreed for feral pigs and wild dogs. The National Biosecurity Committee will shortly consider the National Feral Deer Action Plan, following consultation earlier this year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:

“Feral species like foxes, cats, deer and pigs do enormous damage to our native wildlife and precious places – they kill threatened species and damage critical habitat.

“Feral cats and foxes kill more than 2.6 billion animals like threatened birds and lizards every year, that’s over 7.1 million every night.

“And they’ve contributed to the extinction of at least 34 native mammal species and threaten a further 150 species, like the bilby.

“The Albanese Labor Government is committed to protecting our precious species and leaving nature better off for our kids and grandkids – extending this program is just one way we’re working to achieve this.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt:

“The estimated annual cost to Australian agriculture from established pest animals like foxes is around $600 million.

“The Australian Government supports the national coordination of priority established pest animal initiatives through key policy frameworks, such as the Australian Pest Animal Strategy.

“Increased adoption of best practice pest animal management, as well as improved coordination and information sharing, maximises outcomes of pest control efforts and drives down negative impacts on agricultural productivity and the environment.

“National management coordinators are bringing together stakeholders to increase adoption of best practice methods, improve control methods, address knowledge gaps, and consider First Nations communities and their expertise to maximise outcomes.

“Farmers, natural resource managers and communities will benefit through training opportunities and resource sharing, increasing adoption of humane best practice control methods, such as baiting and trapping.”

Background

There are at least 73 introduced vertebrate animals which have established feral populations in Australia.

Tackling the impacts of cats and foxes, alongside other priority invasives, is a key target of the Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032.

For further information, visit: Priority pest animals - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au) and Feral animals in Australia - DCCEEW.