We’ve blasted Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt’s decision to recognise Victoria’s north-west dingo population as a distinct sub-species, warning it is based on disputed science and will put livestock welfare at greater risk.
The decision clears the way for a bid to have the population listed as critically endangered under federal environmental laws
VFF Livestock Councillor Peter Star said the Federal Government was embracing cherry picked science and ignoring the consequences for livestock producers and creating a precedent that could ravage the livestock industry without consultation.
“The fact this has made it as far as it has is a massive failing by the Federal Government.”
“The so-called science on that dog population is about as solid as a fence with no wire. It’s completely disputed, but the Government seems to have taken it hook, line and sinker.”
“This process needs to be transparent and factor in the impact that dogs in the wild have on livestock.”
“It appears that Murray Watt has become a soft target for these ideological lobby groups.”
“Farmers in the north-west are the ones dealing with wild dogs on the ground. They are the ones finding sheep that have been mauled, killed and left to suffer.”
“If this goes ahead, more livestock will be killed and maimed. We have already seen the damage dogs in the landscape can do and the last thing we should be doing is creating an environment where farmers cannot protect the animals in their care from harm.”
“At the same time any other pest control methods undertaken by landholders that are seen to be a threat to the dingo will also be prevented. It’s just a shambles.”
“Governments cannot claim to care about animal welfare while creating conditions where more livestock are exposed to wild dog attacks,” Mr Star said.
The move could also create a welfare issue for the majority of native animals in the region the, including the iconic Mallee Fowl population.
“It is inevitable that these dingos will spread across the countryside through the Little Desert and onwards to the Grampians. It’s not out of the question that they reach Otways and everything in between, while at the same time having a massive impact on native animals and livestock,” Mr Star said.
Mr Star added the Federal Government’s intervention risked undermining efforts to restore effective wild dog control in Victoria’s north-west.
“Farmers need practical, effective wild dog control, not Canberra politicians creating more hurdles for the people actually managing this problem.”
“Farmers should not be forced to stand by and watch their livestock suffer because of a decision made in Canberra,” Mr Star said.
The VFF is calling on the Federal Government to withdraw the assessment of this listing and engage properly with landholders on the ground.
“Protecting livestock and protecting animal welfare should be common sense.”
“At no point is the VFF or even the local farmers calling for the extermination or eradication of the dingo. We’re asking for practical control measures and at the moment that’s falling on deaf ears.”
“Murray Watt needs to recognise the consequences of this overstep and ensure Victorian farmers retain the tools they need to protect their livestock,” Mr Star said.