26 September 2024
The National Wild Dog Action Plan Coordination Committee is pleased by the Victorian Government’s announcement to continue the dingo unprotection order in northeast and eastern Victoria past 1 October 2024.
The decision marks the end of the Victorian Government’s 12-month review into wild dog management in the state, which livestock producers were concerned would see a rollback of critical control measures.
Geoff Power, Chair of the National Wild Dog Action Plan Coordination Committee and a South Australia wool grower, said the decision had come as a relief to farmers in Victoria and neighbouring states.
“Producers have been understandably worried about the future of livestock production in Victoria during this review period, particularly after the dingo unprotection order was ended abruptly in the northwest in March this year,” said Mr Power.
“Wild dog attacks have a significant economic and emotional impact on producers, and a substantial toll on our biodiversity. This, in addition to the fact that wild dogs don’t respect state lines – meaning a change to wild dog control in one state can have serious impacts on other states – has caused the review in Victoria to capture the attention of producers across the country.
“The existing Victorian wild dog control program has been successful over many years in achieving a balance between livestock predation and dingo conservation, and the cornerstone of this program is the dingo unprotection order. I think many producers, like me, will be breathing a little bit easier now that the Victorian Government has decided to keep the order in place for the northeast and east of the state.”
Mr Power expressed his gratitude to the Victorian Government for their sensible decision, along with the many farmers and industry groups involved in the review process.
“On behalf of the Committee, I’d like to thank Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence and Minister for Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos for arriving at this decision. I’d also like to acknowledge the farmers and industry bodies who provided important feedback and insight to the Government during the review process. Their input has been invaluable in reaching this decision and ensuring Victoria’s $4.5 billion sheep and wool industry can continue to thrive.”
Whilst the news is positive in the northeast and east of Victoria, the Committee is conscious that northwest Victoria remains in a vulnerable position without the dingo unprotection order in place.
“Since the unprotection order ended in March this year, we’ve heard several stories of producers in the northwest struggling with the impacts of wild dog attacks,” said Mr Power.
“The NWDAP Coordination Committee recommend that part of the $2 million dollar support package announced by the Victorian Government is put towards radio collaring dogs in the northwest to trace their movements and ascertain density of dogs in the area. There also needs to be a fast-tracked permit system so that landholders can act immediately to protect their livestock if problems arise.”
“At the moment, northwest producers are waking daily to find the aftermath of wild dog attacks on their livestock – a marked increase since March when the unprotection order was revoked. There have also been increased reports of livestock being attacked at the SA border since March. There needs to be consideration for the mental health of these producers who are almost powerless to stop wild dog attacks on their livestock.”
“We’ll continue to work with the Victorian Government to ensure livestock producers in this part of the state can access adequate wild dog control solutions,” said Mr Power.
For more information on Australia’s approach to wild dog control, visit the National Wild Dog Action Plan website here.
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