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Coalition Government delivers on weeds and pests funding

Tuesday, 03 May 2011

The Victorian Coalition Government has allocated $4 million over the next four years to reinstate a fox and wild dog bounty.

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security Peter Walsh said the 2011-12 Victorian Budget funding delivered a key commitment and would provide hunters with $50 for each wild dog and $10 for each fox they kill.

“The Coalition Government understands that protecting vulnerable livestock from the impact of foxes and wild dogs requires ongoing effort and commitment,” Mr Walsh said.

“Hunting is part of an integrated management approach and effective fox and wild dog control needs to use all of the available control techniques including poison baiting, trapping, exclusion fencing, den fumigation and shooting.

“The bounty will encourage the wider community to support pest animal control across Victoria.”

Mr Walsh said many people in regional and rural Victoria wanted to contribute in a practical way to fox and wild dog control on both public and private land and the bounty would reward their efforts.

Department of Primary Industries staff will operate the bounty scheme at regional locations across the state.

Mr Walsh said the 2011-12 Budget had also allocated $21.2 million over four years to continue the fight against weeds and pest animals.

“This investment will provide enforcement capability to enable DPI to target landholders who fail to manage weeds and pest animals,” Mr Walsh said.

“It will strengthen regional Victoria’s capacity to prepare for, prevent and eradicate high-risk weeds and pest animals.

“It is vital we continue to protect agricultural and natural assets and build Victoria’s reputation as a competitive and trusted producer of food and fibre while safeguarding interstate and export markets.”

Media contact: Stephanie Ryan 0488 441 820

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