FERAL PIGS —
CONTROL MEASURES
1286. Hon RICK MAZZA to the Minister for Environment:
I refer to recent news articles in
relation to the biosecurity threat of African swine fever and that feral pigs
are a possible vector transmitting the disease.
(1) What range of measures are being planned by the
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions to reduce feral
pig numbers on land under the department's management?
(2) Will extra funding be allocated
to any measures undertaken?
Hon
STEPHEN DAWSON replied:
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions works closely with
recreational hunting and community groups and recognised biosecurity groups on
feral pig control to achieve a tenure-blind approach to managing this pest
species. The work undertaken by these groups complements DBCA's pig
control program, which is based on an environmental triage approach that takes
into consideration the potential spread of dieback, conservation values at risk
and public safety.
DBCA has a longstanding
collaboration with the Lake Muir Denbarker Community Feral Pig Eradication
Group to undertake feral pig control throughout DBCA's Frankland and
Donnelly districts, including between Rocky Gully and Walpole, and the Albany
branch of the Sporting Shooters' Association of Australia assists with
feral pig control in the Frankland district. DBCA is also currently working
with the Shire of Manjimup to control feral pigs around the Northcliffe area.
Measures
taken by DBCA to control feral pigs primarily consist of trapping and shooting,
with some baiting also undertaken. A
project is currently underway investigating baiting stations for feral pigs. An
agreement is also in place with the Blackwood Biosecurity group for pig
and other pest animal control in DBCA's Donnelly, Blackwood and
Wellington districts.
(2) DBCA will
continue to conduct priority feral pig control on department-managed land
within its pest animal control budget.