SYDNEY (May 13, 2026)— Humane World for Animals is criticising the Queensland Government's decision to reject a disallowance motion in Parliament that would have reinstated a phase out of flying fox shooting for crop protection.
The motion, moved by Labor opposition MP Leanne Linard, sought to reverse changes introduced by the Crisafulli Government that allow landholders to continue shooting flying foxes. Defeat of the motion means lethal control will be allowed to continue indefinitely, despite the availability of safer and more effective non-lethal alternatives. Before the Crisafulli Government's changes, the shooting of flying foxes was to end in July 2026.
The decision follows lobbying from a small number of mango and lychee growers who say they are unable to transition away from shooting, despite the widespread uptake of non-lethal methods across the rest of the industry.
Dr Renae Charalambous, Program Manager for Wildlife Policy at Humane World for Animals Australia, said the outcome was deeply disappointing and out of step with both science and community expectations:
"This is a step backwards for Queensland. Shooting flying foxes is inhumane and ineffective. It is an imprecise method that can result in animals being injured rather than killed outright, leading to prolonged suffering and serious animal welfare risks.
"Flying foxes are typically shot at night, increasing the risk of misidentification, putting endangered species at risk. Injured animals may not die immediately, and dependent young can be left to suffer without care.
"Non-lethal methods, including wildlife-friendly netting, are widely recognised as the most effective way to protect fruit crops and also avoids harm to wildlife.
"The Government's reinstatement of shooting occurred without meaningful consultation with animal welfare and conservation organisations.
"Queensland had a clear pathway to move away from lethal control and support growers to adopt more effective, non-lethal solutions. The majority of growers took up government subsidies to invest in netting.
"Instead, this decision prioritises outdated ineffective shooting over evidence-based approaches that protect both crops and wildlife. This issue is far from resolved.
"Shooting does not work and community concern will continue to grow while protected wildlife are being shot despite the availability of better alternatives.
"We will continue to advocate for the phase-out of lethal control and stronger protections for flying foxes and we are calling on the Queensland Government to urgently invest in supporting growers to protect their crops with ongoing support for netting."
