9 February 2021.
It’s official - Australia now has an action plan for managing feral pigs, and AgForce members are being asked for their feedback.
The draft National Feral Pig Action Plan (NFPAP) was written following a survey of more than 700 respondents, with AgForce member Zena Ronnfeldt from Dalby the only Queensland representative on the advisory panel.
It addresses reducing the extensive impacts caused by feral pigs to Australia’s environmental, agricultural, cultural and social assets through sustained, coordinated and collaborative actions by land managers.
Feral pigs are a major pest and significant threat to Australia’s environment, cultural sites, and its $65 billion agricultural industry. This is due to their destruction of crops, infrastructure, habitat, land and water sources, ability to spread weeds and diseases, predation of livestock and impacts on biodiversity.
In a snapshot:
- 45% (3.45 million square kilometres) of Australia is inhabited by feral pigs
- An estimated $106.5 million in direct economic costs to Australian agriculture each year
- Yearly expenditure estimates of $47.7 million for private landholders on feral pig management
- An annual knockdown rate of at least 70% needed to suppress the growth potential of the population and prevent rapid recovery
- 148 species of fauna and flora and 8 threatened ecological communities at risk from feral pigs
- Exotic disease incursions could cost in excess of $52 billion if they were to enter Australia (eg. $50 billion for foot and mouth disease and $2 billion for swine fever)
Control measures needed include professional culling (aerial and ground shooting), baiting, trapping and exclusion fencing.
Download the draft plan at feralpigs.com.au/the-plan.
Feedback can be submitted to planfeedback@feralpigs.com.au and the consultation period will be open until 5pm AEDT Friday 26 February 2021.
A final draft NFPAP will be submitted to the Environment and Invasives Committee by late March 2021.