- Experienced contractors will undertake aerial shooting to reduce feral pigs and other pest animals across north-west Queensland.
- This will prevent an explosion in feral pig numbers, with activity to commence in the coming weeks and continue as conditions allow.
- Feral pigs cause severe damage to agriculture, the environment and waterways.
Experienced aerial shooters are being engaged to reduce feral pig numbers in flood-ravaged north-west Queensland, backed by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments.
The initiative is part of a $11.32 million Primary Producer Support Package announced under joint Commonwealth-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) in response to the North Queensland Monsoon Trough and ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji.
Feral pigs carry disease and damage waterways and the environment. They also prey on livestock.
While the floodwaters are high, feral pigs are trapped on higher ground or are slow moving through boggy terrain, presenting ideal conditions for aerial control activity.
The Queensland Department of Primary Industries is well progressed in its response plan to enable targeted control activities of predator pests in affected areas of the Gulf of Carpentaria centred on the Flinders and Gilbert River catchment areas.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said all levels of government were continuing to work closely to deliver what primary producers need to recover.
"We know that with the amount of fencing that's been damaged, feral pigs can cause major issues and further losses if we don't act quickly," Minister McBain said.
"All levels of government are working closely with local authorities to get out in front of this problem, and we will continue to listen to those facing the challenges of this severe weather event."
Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said that it was important to take this opportunity because after floodwaters recede and the ground dries out, the resources and conditions are optimal for significant growth in feral pig populations.
"These conditions are very good for experienced contractors to work with landholders to identify these mobs of feral pigs, which group together in these conditions, Minister Perrett said.
"It's an opportunity to significantly reduce the population density and prevent an explosion in numbers later, which could have a devastating impact on our environment and on stock numbers.
"The Crisafulli Government takes the management of invasive species like feral pigs very seriously. In addition to 100 additional biosecurity officers over this term of government, we're also backing on-ground control with $2.2 million for regional coordinators plus $2 million in targeted grants and action plans to help producers tackle this issue."
The department is also working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to coordinate the response across protected areas.
In 2023, the Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) put the cost of feral pigs to the national economy at $156 million annually; $95 million of this was production losses and direct control costs in Queensland.
Feral pigs cause extensive damage to crops, pasture, fencing and waterways and pose ongoing risks to animal health and biosecurity.
The Queensland Government will continue to monitor conditions and adjust operations as required to protect producers and regional communities.
