An elected Nationals Government will fund a $300 million biosecurity and control program for the coordination and management of feral animals to protect our critical primary industries sector and conserve our environment.
Agriculture contributes approximately $25.5 billion per year to the NSW economy. The sector is one of NSW’s most productive and important industries, yet farmers face a system weighed down by excessive regulation, rising costs, and decisions made far from regional communities.
Our record plan includes:
• Improved on-ground action and local coordination across all tenures with more boots on the ground.
• A shift to five-year funding for pest animal control programs, in line with the Natural Resources Commission’s recommendation.
• Increased funding for control programs, meaning more pigs are killed.
• More and better traps.
• Trial of a targeted bounty scheme for feral pigs.
• Aerial shooting over more country for longer periods.
• Thermal imaging and drone technology to detect and track pigs.
• Exclusion fencing to protect environmental and agricultural assets.
• Support for baiting shooting and trapping programs.
• Increased legal requirements for public land managers to manage pest animals.
• More targeted research for biological and other novel controls; and,
• Establishing permanent regional rapid response teams to target outbreaks before populations expand.
NSW Nationals Leader Gurmesh Singh said under Labor’s watch, feral pigs and other invasive species are running rampant.
“Through commonsense measures, we are committing to reducing the number and impact of feral pigs across NSW,” Mr Singh said.
“Put simply, this investment means stronger biosecurity and less pigs.”
Shadow Minister for Agriculture Brendan Moylan said farmers are sick of reviews, reports and roundtables that end up gathering dust on Minister Moriarty’s shelf on Macquarie Street.
“We know feral pigs are causing enormous damage to crops, livestock, and the environment. The time for talking has passed, it’s time to act, and that’s what we will do,” Mr Moylan said.
Invasive Species Council CEO Jack Gough said invasive species are the number one driver of animal extinctions in Australia and one of the greatest threats to Aussie rivers and landscapes.
“Numerous reviews have found that pest management in NSW is unstrategic, short term and underfunded. This needs urgent change,” Mr Gough said.
“This $300 million boost is a serious proposal that means more boots on the ground and eyes in the field dealing with this worsening problem.
“The proposal to increase the legal expectations on public land managers for feral animals is also an important recognition that many crown land managers are failing to protect the environment and communities from feral animals.”
