Alistair Finlay
A PEEK farming sector body is calling for better action on wild dogs from the Victorian State Government as the region’s drought gets worse.
Victorian Farmers Federation vice-president Peter Star said there were fears mooted changes to the dingo unprotection order in place across the North West of the state could impact livestock holders.
“In the North West, where lethal control methods have been restricted, farmers are already seeing the consequences, more frequent and brazen livestock attacks, increased stock losses, and rising emotional and financial stress,” Mr Star said.
“These are not isolated incidents. The lack of effective wild dog control is undermining confidence and doing real damage to rural livelihoods.
“We must not allow this to spread to other parts of the state.”
In March last year the State Government rolled out new rules on managing dingos in the region, and allocated more the half-a-million dollars to non-lethal control methods.
Mr Star said those measures hadn’t worked on wild dogs and called on officials to roll out new control measures including baiting and trapping, resources for livestock producers, coordination of stakeholder groups, data collection, and evidence based policy making.
“Non-lethal controls alone are not working,” he said. “We’re seeing that clearly in the North West.
“Pair this with widespread drought across much of the state and there is recipe for disaster.
“The Government must act decisively to restore balance and ensure livestock protection is guaranteed.
“Our farmers deserve protection, not platitudes. The tools exist, we just need the Government to use them.”
