Win on wild dog control
Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs) have played a key role in successfully lobbying the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to maintain current wild dog aerial baiting rates for the next 12 months.
The APVMA have issued a permit to continue allowing the use of 1080 baits on private property at 40 baits a kilometre. This is a reprieve from the review findings which set the rate at only 10 baits a kilometre.
State Council Pest and TSR Manager, Tim Seears said the permit was good news for livestock owners facing an increase in the number wild dog attacks.
"This is a major issue across the state and RLPBs have worked with a number of agencies to maintain the current rate and bring greater consistency and coordination to wild dog control.
"Wild dogs, which include dingoes and cross-breeds are responsible for thousands of stock losses across the state each year.
"It’s crucial we have effective measures in place to respond to the increasing population and high level of wild dog activity we are experiencing at the moment in some areas.
"Aerial baiting at 40 baits per kilometre is the current preferred application with proven effectiveness across all types of terrain," he said.
Tim Seears said this permit was only a short term win with RLPBs continuing to lobby the APVMA to permanently maintain current baiting rates and push for research that would allow the minimum effective bait rate to be properly determined.
"It would be irresponsible for any permanent changes to occur without adequate scientific research and input from dog-affected landholders, associated organisations and government agencies," he said.
Similar restrictions and conditions governing the use of 1080 will remain including use by authorized persons, neighbour notification, signage, storage, transportation and environmental protection.
The permit is valid for areas within the Armidale, Bombala, Braidwood, Cooma, Gloucestor, Grafton, Hunter, Kempsey, Maitland, Moss Vale, Mudgee, Tamworth, South Coast and Northern New England Boards.
The permit is in force until 9 January 2009.
RLPBs coordinate wild dog baiting programs in their region and in some cases carry them out. For further information regarding wild dog aerial baiting contact your local Rural Lands Protection Board office.