Grazing Land Management

$5.2 million-plus for wild dog fencing and baiting welcomed

Sheep Central, March 21, 2016

Wild dogMORE than $5.2 million in wild dog cluster fencing and baiting assistance has been welcomed by the National Wild Dog Action Plan leaders.

The NWDAP last week said assistance to help landholders in central Western Queensland to construct cluster fencing and complete aerial baiting, emphasised the importance of a national, collaborative, and consultative approach to the management of wild dogs.

NWDAP steering committee chair, Duncan Fraser, said the funding announcement offer from deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, and Queensland Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Leanne Donaldson, is very welcome and showed how State and Federal Governments could work together and with local producers and land managers to reduce the losses and costs from wild dog predation.

“The National Wild Dog Action Plan supports a multi-pronged approach to reduce wild dog impacts which includes the funding of fencing, baiting and monitoring.

“The figure of $66 Million losses is now thought to be conservative, as the calculation was done in 2009 and prices for livestock have changed greatly since then,” Mr Duncan said.

NWDAP Stakeholder Group member and Queensland cattle producer Ivan Naggs said fencing has proven to be a valuable tool to block the menacing waves of wild dogs; with follow-up baiting and trapping to keep protected properties productive.

“We need every head of sheep and cattle to survive to meet the supply expectations of our markets.

“This package of funding will give these Queensland graziers long-sought peace of mind about the safety and welfare of their livestock,” he said.

For further information on the National Wild Dog Action Plan visit: www.nationalwilddogactionplan.org.au

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