NSW Farmers’ has welcomed the NSW Liberal and Nationals $300 million biosecurity and feral animal control policy announcement, as a significant step toward addressing a burgeoning crisis farmers have been managing almost alone for too long.
NSW Farmers’ president Xavier Martin said the size of the investment recognised the seriousness of the challenge.
“This is policy that takes biosecurity and productivity seriously – bold investment in biosecurity and a genuine shift of responsibility to all land managers, not just farmers,” he said.
The Coalition’s plan includes a feral pig bounty trial, expanded aerial shooting, new technology, and stronger obligations on public land managers.
“Any bounty must be tightly designed and work alongside coordinated control, not operate in isolation. But the policy direction is right,” Mr Martin said.
“Our branches across the state have been clear: farmers are already carrying almost all the cost, government funding is not keeping up, and feral animal numbers are at levels members say they have never seen before.
“We acknowledge this is a policy announcement and call on the Minns Government to match this commitment and make this a priority for all in Macquarie Street,” he said.
“Feral animals do not respect boundaries and pest control cannot either. Government has a legal obligation to control pests on its own land.
“This Coalition announcement is a big step forward. The expectation now is that it becomes the baseline – not the ceiling – for biosecurity investment in this state,” Mr Martin said.
