A national and coordinated approach to feral pig management has just been released following the endorsement of the National Feral Pig Action Plan.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the plan will guide and support all land managers to deliver best practice management of feral pigs.
"This is the first national strategy that has been developed to address the significant impact of feral pigs on our farms, environment, industries and communities," Minister Littleproud said.
"Feral pigs cost the Australian agricultural sector around $106.5 million per year, and $47.7 million per year is spent on feral pig control by land managers.
"They are also a threat to livestock because they can carry foot and mouth disease and African swine fever if these biosecurity risks were to arrive in Australia.
"The plan will support effective, sustained and humane best practice management of feral pigs by providing leadership and strategic direction to combat this pest.
"It aims to increase the capacity of land managers to manage feral pigs on the ground by applying best practice management tools and methods. It will also build community awareness.
"Initial demonstration sites showcase how feral pig management methods are being applied.
"The plan brings industry, governments, stakeholders and the wider community together to better manage feral pigs and protect our country."
Read the National Feral Pig Action Plan 2021-2031 here.
Fast Facts:
- Australian Government has invested more than $14 million in feral pig management since 2015.
- Plan delivered with $1.4 million funding provided by the government to Australian Pork Limited in 2019 to establish the role of the National Feral Pig Management Coordinator, Dr Heather Channon.
- Implementation is being overseen by an Implementation Committee with key stakeholder representatives
- Actions include aerial deployed thermal sensor technology to detect feral pigs, HOGGONE® pig bait development and best practice feral pig control training to land managers.
