MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan has urged the NSW Government for more targeted action to address on the escalating problem of feral pigs across the Northern Tablelands.
Mr Moylan delivered a Private Members’ Statement in Parliament on Tuesday addressing concerns on the increasing number of feral pigs and the impact they are having on landholders.
“Current estimates indicate there could be 100 million feral pigs in Australia,” Mr Moylan said.
“In my electorate we have had a run of good seasons.
“That has been great for our farming communities, and for our communities in general, but those good seasons have seen the population of feral pigs explode.”
Mr Moylan said large numbers of feral pigs have been destroying farming land, harming livestock, and been wreaking havoc on the region’s roads.
“Feral pigs are causing absolute carnage and destruction,” he said.
“They are causing widespread devastation with attacks on livestock, such as lambs and calves.
“They also get into crops and cause huge amounts of damage.”
Mr Moylan said current control measures are failing to keep up with the growing numbers.
“Estimates make it clear that unless we cull around 80 per cent of these feral animals per year, we will not get on top of the problem,” he said.
“It really is a significant concern.
“We are losing the battle because of the sheer numbers of these vermin right across our landscape.”
Mr Moylan called on the NSW Government to increase funding for control programs and adopt more localised and targeted approaches to combat the rise in feral pig numbers.
“There is no point in NSW looking at a total approach across the board; we need targeted local campaigns, because once the shooters come through and the baiting and trapping are done, the pig populations breed back up faster than any of us can handle,” he said.
“We need to have a conversation in this place about the damage that these animals are causing to our natural and native landscape, and to our productive agricultural industries.”
