Coalition to tackle the feral animal menace
24th October, 2007
A re-elected Coalition Government will provide funding of $15 million to strengthen the fight against pest and feral animals and the threat they pose to Australia’s agricultural industries and environment.Federal Member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said the funding commitment will help primary producers to tackle one of the most serious threats to their economic survival, and to our environment.
“It’s estimated pest and feral animals directly cost Australian agriculture more than $720 million per annum, not including the long-term losses associated with land degradation,” Mr Truss said.
“They cause untold damage to our native flora and fauna. In our part of the world, feral pigs are a huge problem to all producers, but foxes, cats, dogs, mice, cane toads, carp and rabbits also have a big impact on biodiversity. In other parts of Australia there are also concerns about such species as goats, camels, and horses.”
“The Coalition recognises these costs and will build on previous programmes and work with local communities to tackle the scourge of feral animals,” Mr Truss said.
“This new programme will ensure a national approach to the management, and possible eradication, of some of Australia’s worst pest animals.”
The new programme will include:
• A community grants component with a focus on controlling pest animals during drought to enhance agricultural and environmental recovery following drought ($6 million);
• A research and development component, including a demonstration project, to test new feral animal control techniques and facilitate their implementation ($1 million); and
• A fund to address the impact of nationally significant pest animals (particularly rabbits and camels) on priority national environmental assets ($8 million).
Mr Truss said he was looking forward to working with the local community to help tackle local problems.
“Local people here in Wide Bay know what the priorities are and they will be able to apply for funding to tackle local problems as they see fit. This package will provide some of the resources to implement the Australian Pest Animal Strategy which has been developed by the Australian, State and Territory governments after consultation with those most affected by feral animals,” Mr Truss said.
ENDS
