The Australian Government is investing a further $214,500 to continue its support for the implementation of the National Wild Dog Action Plan 2020-2030, through Australian Wool Innovation.
These additional funds takes the government’s total investment to support the plan to $2.4 million since 2013-14.
“Wild dogs are a huge issue across rural Australia, costing our agricultural sector up to $89 million each year through livestock losses, disease transmission and control costs.
The impact of wild dogs is devastating, with farmers and rural communities suffering emotional and financial stress because of wild dog attacks on stock.
Since 2014, the Australian Government has invested over $60 million to support wild dog management, assisting state and territory governments and land managers to control wild dogs and reduce their impacts on agriculture and the environment.
This extra funding will help support the ongoing delivery of the plan, an invaluable, evidence-based strategy that provides the blueprint for best practice, humane wild dog management Australia wide.
This invaluable work is led by the national wild dog management coordinator, Mr Greg Mifsud with strong support from industry.
This work guides future national action plans for feral pigs, deer and other pest species.
It will ensure that we continue to have a clear, coordinated approach to guide farmers, land managers and other stakeholders on the best strategies and most effective control tools to protect our livestock and biodiversity from feral animal pests.
For information on the National Wild Dog Action Plan, see: wilddogplan.org.au
More details about the plan
· The National Dog Action Plan is a livestock-industry driven, nationally agreed framework that promotes and supports a nationally coordinated, strategic and risk-based approach to wild dog management.
· A review of the 2014-2019 plan found that direct investment of $2.62 million (present value terms) was estimated to give total benefits with a net present value of between $13.31 million and $40.68 million.
· The $214,500 (GST inclusive) is funded through the $30.3 million Established Pest Animals and Weeds Pipeline.
· Funding will support two part-time roles for the implementation of the plan, field days and capacity-building workshops along with developing a Certificate III in rural and environmental pest management training for land managers to build their knowledge and capability in wild dog management.
· Pest animal management is primarily the responsibility of state and territory governments and land managers, the Australian Government invests strategically where it is in the national interest.
· Since 2014, the Australian Government has funded $60.1 million in wild dog control through a range of programs involving research, wild dog fencing and related management and implementation activities.
