LANDHOLDERS and community members have until Friday to have their say on a proposed pest control order for foxes through an online survey run by the Department of Primary Industries.
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The proposed pest control order (PCO) for foxes was released earlier this month and the NSW Government is now seeking comments from the public on the proposed changes.
DPI invasive species officer pest animals Paul Meek said both landholders and the wider community were aware of the impacts foxes had on livestock and the environment, and see the need for a PCO.
“Effective long-term fox management requires the cooperation of a majority of land managers in any one area and the proposed PCO will assist in coordinating fox control programs,” Mr Meek said.
“Foxes are a blight on the agricultural landscape, with studies showing lamb losses to fox predation can be as high as 30 per cent.
“It’s not just landholders that are impacted by foxes – our native wildlife and the wider community suffer at the hands of this invasive predator.
“Foxes threaten the long-term survival of a range of native birds, mammals and reptiles as well as posing serious human health risks as a vector for Rabies, Hydatid tapeworms and other parasites.”
The annual cost of foxes to Australia’s environment and economy is estimated to be over $227.5 million.
In all Australian states foxes are a legislated as a pest species, feral animal or vermin, making NSW the last state to declare foxes a pest species.
The closing date for survey submissions is Friday 24 October 2014. The NSW Government will consider these submissions before legislating the PCO.
If you would like to comment on the pest control order please complete the online survey on the DPI website at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity
