The Victorian Coalition Government has again boosted farmers’ arsenal in the fight against wild dogs by securing approval for aerial baiting and trialling interstate supply of fresh 1080 baits.

In welcoming the announcement today Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, said farmers in East Gippsland had advocated strongly for aerial baiting and fresh 1080 baits in the fight against wild dogs.

“It is very pleasing to see common-sense prevail and I thank the Federal Coalition Government and my federal parliamentary colleague, Darren Chester, for supporting the Victorian government’s application.

“Helping to control wild dogs in Victoria is a key priority of this government. The vicious pests prey on newborn lambs and calves, as well as native fauna, causing both emotional and financial hardship for rural communities,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Walsh, said the Federal Coalition Government approved Victoria’s aerial baiting application late last week after the Victorian Coalition continually lobbied the Commonwealth.

“Aerial baiting was a key election commitment of the Victorian Coalition, which I am proud to now see being fulfilled. The Department of Environment and Primary Industries will begin aerial baiting at three sites each in North East Victoria and East Gippsland in May.

“On top of this, we are also providing livestock producers in Gippsland and North East Victoria with increased access to fresh 1080 baits as part of an interstate trial program.

“Authorised 1080 bait users who live on or manage land in participating parishes can now buy fresh and shelf-stable 1080 baits from the South East Local Land Services Bombala depot or the Murray Local Land Services Holbrook depot,” he said.

Mr Walsh said farmers now had two extra weapons in the fight against wild dogs, in addition to a number of control initiatives the Victorian Coalition Government had already implemented since 2011:

•    introducing a bounty on wild dogs which has already eradicated 1,149 dogs; •    expanding community baiting programs; •    cut red tape so wild dog controllers can work outside the 3km buffer zone; •    baiting deeper than ever into remote Crown land areas; •    reintroducing Lanes traps; and •    establishing the Wild Dog Control Advisory Committee.

For more information on aerial baiting visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/wilddogs

To view an interstate 1080 bait supply fact sheet and eligible parishes visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/1080