Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party (SFF) MP Robert Borsak has called on the NSW state government to implement a bounty for certain feral pests, notably pigs, foxes, rabbits, feral cats and feral dogs.
Under his proposal, bounties would be set at $10-20 per feral animal, which could easily result in 50,000-100,000 pests being removed each year from an initial $1m investment — an investment Mr Borsak said SFF had been in discussions with relevant ministers to secure in the upcoming 12-month budget cycle.
“This is the most cost-effective way to ensure invasive pests are removed from both private and public land,” he said.
“It provides clear data on the number of pests culled, their locations, and the associated costs.
“It’s hard to justify large budget allocations for other methods when these results are very achievable, especially for farmers who can trap pigs and get paid for it.”
Feral animals cause serious environmental damage and are a serious economic issue in NSW; Local Land Services NSW (LLS) and its partners culled 129,266 feral pigs in 2024, while NSW National Parks feral pest management programs culled 61,344 animals that year, including 19,635 pigs, 29,786 goats, 4069 deer, and 362 foxes.
Mr Borsak pointed to Victoria’s fox bounty as proof of the success of bounty programs such as the one SFF were proposing, saying more than 1 million foxes had been eradicated in that state since the program began — 82,558 between March and October 2022 alone.
The proposal has the backing of Shooters Union, with vice president David Brown saying it would make a big difference for volunteer pest controllers and primary producers alike.
“We’ve long stated that licensed shooters are a vital part of the battle against invasive pest animals,” he said.
“One of our most common member inquiries is from people wanting to know how they can be more involved in culling pest animals in rural areas.
“Having a bounty would not only be attractive for volunteer pest controllers and hunters, but it would greatly assist farmers and graziers as well.
“$10 or $20 for every pig, fox or feral cat or dog they cull on their land would make a real difference for primary producers, who are struggling financially at the best of times.
“Ammunition is expensive, fuel is expensive, firearms licensing isn’t free, and vehicles and equipment need maintenance too. Having a bounty on feral animals would greatly offset these costs and encourage shooters, especially volunteers, to spend even more time in the field dealing with invasive pests, which benefits everyone in NSW.
“Governments waste so much money on things we don’t want, but this would help do something everyone would benefit from.”
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