Fears wool industry could be wiped out by wild dogs within 40 years

By John McCarthy

From: The Courier-Mail

June 28, 2013      

  

Wild dogs and other feral pests are threatening the future
of agriculture in Australia. Source: News Limited

 

THE State Government is looking for a solution to the $700 million a year problem of feral pests.

A first ever summit of rural leaders was held yesterday on the issue as the rangeland sheep industry warned it could be wiped out in Australia within 40 years if the wild dog issue was not addressed.
Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said the town of Tambo in western Queensland was an example of a once proud wool centre that was in decline as farmers left sheep farming because of dogs.
He said heavy rains in the past two years in some areas of Queensland had added to the problem by providing plenty of food for pests, and deer and pigs were encroaching on suburban areas.
Dr McVeigh added there had also been two mice plagues since 2009 and there was also the decades-old problem of cane toads.
The ideal conditions for many feral mammals have led to an explosion in the number of feral pigs, wild dogs, and feral deer.
Dr McVeigh said feral animals were a blight on the landscape - preying on native animals, competing for food, shelter and habitat, degrading habitats, ecosystems, soil and water quality and causing further problems through hybridisation such as wild dogs breeding with dingoes.
"They have a huge impact on our farms causing production losses of around $215 million every year," Dr McVeigh said.
"Effective control of feral animals requires an integrated and collaborative approach between landholders, local and state government, together with support and commitment from interest groups and the general public."
Dr McVeigh said the issue had been dealt with by band-aid solutions for almost 100 years and he would introduce legislation later this year to bring about a more effective biosecurity regime.
The ideas raised in yesterday's summit would be presented to a new committee established by the Government to co-ordinate an attack on feral pests.
Agforce's Michael Allpass said the problem had been intensified by a declining workforce in rural areas.
"Over the last few decades the fencing just hasn't been maintained,'' Mr Allpass said.
"If we don't start doing something about feral pests our rural assets will be significantly diminished.''

Read more: http://www.couriermail.com.au/national-news/queensland/fears-wool-industry-could-be-wiped-out-by-wild-dogs-within-40-years/story-fnii5v6w-1226670962634#ixzz2XVCZKKXH