The new 10-year National Wild Dog Action Plan replaces the 2014-19 version.
“Wild dogs are terribly destructive pests, costing farmers conservatively upwards of $89 million a year in lost production and control costs,” Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said.
“They can decimate livestock, tearing down sheep and goats at will, and in doing so, can hurt rural and regional economies because of the destruction they wreak and anxiety they cause.
“Having a clear, co-ordinated and borderless national plan to guide farmers and other stakeholders on the best strategies and safest tools for livestock and biodiversity protection is critical for rural and regional communities as they recover from COVID-19, bushfires and drought.”
NFF president Fiona Simson said the plan's programs were important in contributing to biosecurity protection.
“Wild dogs are a major problem for all grazing industries in Australia,” she said.
“Recognising this in 2013, the wool industry initiated the development of the first NWDAP, with the aim of bringing together all livestock peak bodies, researchers and Commonwealth, state and territory governments to a co-ordinated approach to wild dog management.”
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