Wild dog action plan to protect and grow industry

Monday, 14 November 2016

• WA Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021 will revitalise and foster growth of pastoral, agricultural and tourism industries
• Supported by Liberal National Government's Royalties for Regions program 

The Liberal National Government has announced a $19.94 million investment to support Western Australia's livestock industries and help landowners to control predatory wild dogs and other agricultural pests in regional areas.

Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Lewis said the funding would implement key recommendations of the Western Australian Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021, released today.

Mr Lewis said the comprehensive industry-led plan aimed to reduce the economic and social impact of wild dogs. 

"Wild dog predation on livestock is taking a heavy economic and emotional toll on livestock producers in affected pastoral and agricultural areas," he said.

"The action plan recognises the importance of bringing together industry, government and the community to co-ordinate efforts to control wild dogs, and to protect and revitalise our pastoral, agricultural and regional tourism industries.

"A key step is the formation of the WA Wild Dog Alliance to provide industry-based leadership to implement the plan. This includes boosting support for existing biosecurity groups which have formed to control wild dogs and other pests.  There is also ongoing funding for professional doggers."

The plan also includes $1.5 million for competitive grants for cell or cluster fencing.

Regional Development Minister Terry Redman welcomed the plan, which identified further upgrades and extensions to the State Barrier Fence in the southern agricultural area, as central to effective control.

"The fence has undergone significant improvements in recent years to become a more effective barrier to wild dogs, including the closure of the 170 kilometre 'Yilgarn Gap' with the benefit of Royalties for Regions funding," Mr Redman said.

"I'm pleased to see Royalties for Regions funding going towards addressing an issue that has been such a long-term problem for the agricultural sector."

Fact File

• The WA Wild Dog Action Plan 2016-2021 was developed by the Wild Dog Action Group, chaired by pastoralist Justin Steadman 
• The plan was funded through the Department of Agriculture and Food WA's Boosting Biosecurity Defences project, with Royalties for Regions investment
• Stock losses from wild dogs in WA are estimated at up to $25 million a year