The State Government has announced $100,000 to boost feral camel control in the Southern Rangelands.
The funds have been awarded to the Goldfields Nullarbor Rangelands Biosecurity Association (GRNBA) to distribute fencing materials to pastoralists to install self-mustering trap yards at strategic water points. This will allow the animals to be responsibly culled.
Large feral herbivores - which include feral camels, donkeys and horses - are widespread pests in the pastoral region and can damage fences and watering points, compete with cattle for feed, and trash native vegetation.
The State Government has also released a report on the future development of potential commercial camel industry opportunities in the region.
Prospects for the development of a viable camel industry in the region, along with recent analysis of a range of commercial opportunities ranging from camel meat meal through to export for human consumption will be discussed at an upcoming stakeholder forum.
The Western Australian Large Feral Herbivore Strategy 2020-2025, developed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, has been released to provide guidance to stakeholders on a strategic management approach.
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Dry conditions in the rangelands in recent seasons have exacerbated issues with camels, as they can move large distances in search of water.
"Self-mustering trap yards provide a physical barrier to protect water source infrastructure from damage inflicted by large feral herbivores and to ensure livestock welfare.
"This funding will enable the GRNBA to work with pastoralists in the region to identify areas in the Southern Rangelands which are most in need and where this infrastructure will deliver the greatest benefit.
"More broadly, the newly released Western Australian Large Feral Herbivore Strategy 2020-2025 recognises the importance of a co-ordinated, collaborative and tenure-blind approach to effective large feral herbivore management by all stakeholders, using a suite of complementary and humane control techniques.
"It also addresses how to increase capability for control, and build technical knowledge and skills of landholders to reduce impacts of large feral herbivores across the regions.
"We are also very interested in realising commercial opportunities that also complement the management of feral camels, and the Goldfields-Esperance Development Commission have brought together a number of partners and industry to explore the supply chain constraints and viability of several industry development proposals."
