8 June 2026. Shane McCarthy, AgForce General President.
While there has been a lot of attention on fuel and fertiliser costs and the impact of the EPBC Act on producers, there is another issue of vital importance for AgForce.
The control of pests and wild dogs is a top priority and an issue that must be addressed.
Wild dog attacks on stock are having a significant impact on producers and inflicting substantial lambing losses in heavily affected areas.
That limits the confidence of existing producers and potential newcomers to expand small stock operations and to enter the industry.
Success tackling this issue will be seen with the strengthening of successful management practices.
We also need to create conditions that support a significant increase in sheep and goat numbers across Queensland.
And we need help from the state government.
To that end, AgForce's Sheep, Wool and Goats (SWAG) Board has written to the Minister for Primary Industries calling for continued co-investment funding in the National Wild Dog Action Plan and the National Wild Dog Management Coordinator role.
We've advocated strongly for funding for exclusion fencing programs and are considering what other action should be taken.
AgForce is also working on improvements for the eID tag system for sheep and goats and recently met with Biosecurity Queensland to clarify the tag order process and ensure red tape is cut to a minimum.
And of course, the rising cost of fuel and fertiliser and the EPBC changes remain a focus. We're continuing to advocate to all levels of government for affordable and reliable fuel and fertiliser supply, stronger domestic refining and storage and greater local manufacturing of essential inputs to improve resilience over the longer term.
We're also seeking clarity from the federal government over the implementation of the EPBC Act.
