THE creature once labelled fantastic, has been downgraded to a pest.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Now in line with neighbouring states, European Red Foxes have been classified as a pest in NSW.
The announcement by Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson last week will see land managers and government bodies cooperate to target the control of foxes, which cause some $220 million in damages to the Australian environment and economy each year.
“The Local Land Services (European Red Fox) Pest Control Order 2014 will be gazetted, meaning foxes are now a declared pest species in this State,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“With the total annual cost of foxes to Australia’s environment and economy estimated to be $227.5 million, the pest control order will assist in the coordination of successful community-wide fox control programs.
“Foxes cause extensive damage for livestock producers, with studies showing lamb losses to fox predation can be as high as 30 per cent.”
“The introduction of the pest control order brings NSW into line with all other States in Australia in ensuring that foxes must be controlled by landholders on their properties.
“Importantly, the pest control order will allow for additional options for coordinated control, meaning Local Land Services (LLS) can more effectively target foxes in localised campaigns.”
It helps prioritise management of foxes to government agencies and landholders, and supports the LLS in its coordinated efforts across all landscapes.
- Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson
Biosecurity and Emergency Services Manager for the LLS Daniel Shaw told the Post the Pest Control Order acted not as permission to cull the animals, but rather to pinpoint locations and numbers for coordinated control programs.
“It does not impose the same requirements as the equivalent pest control orders on wild dogs, rabbits and pigs,” Mr Shaw said.
“There is no proposal for a general destruction order. In practice what that means is land managers will not have an obligation to continually control foxes.
“What it does, is it helps prioritise management of foxes to government agencies and landholders, and supports the LLS in its coordinated efforts across all landscapes.”
A draft pest control order was released for public comment in October, with 1785 submissions received. The majority of submissions were in favour of the order.
“All issues raised in the submissions were carefully considered before a final decision was reached,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
“It is clear that this pest control order will benefit landholders and the wider community by improving the coordinated control of this invasive predator.”
The order will not only affect wild foxes but those being kept in captivity as pets or otherwise.
No newly acquired foxes will be able to be kept and those currently in captivity will be required to apply for a permit from the LLS.
“Foxes are not companion animals – this pest control order sends the clear message that they are pests, not pets,” Ms Hodgkinson said.
The pest control order can be viewed at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity.