The Andrews’ Labor Government has dealt a huge blow to East Gippsland farmers in confirming the wild dog bounty will be axed and shot itself in the foot at the same time, according to State Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull.

He said Agriculture Minister, Jaala Pulford, recently wrote to a farmer stating the wild dog bounty had been axed, but in the very same letter said hunting plays “an important role in supporting an integrated approach to pest management in Victoria”.

“If they acknowledge hunting plays an important role in pest management, then why axe this successful program,” Mr Bull said.

“This just makes no sense at all, is hypocrisy at its best and offers no valid explanation as to why you would axe a successful program that was making a difference in dog control.

“The reality is we had 1557 wild dog pelts handed in, over three years of this program, that’s 1557 less dogs attacking stock and breeding.

“Labor can’t even explain why it is ending the successful wild dog bounty program, but keeping the fox bounty. It makes no sense.

“One of the reasons mentioned by Labor, is that it will re-direct the funds to aerial baiting, however their anticipated total spend on aerial baiting is less than what the Coalition Government spent last year, so this is another example of wild dog controls being short-changed.

“I’m afraid they just don’t seem to understand this issue at all. I can’t remember the last time we had one of our Labor members in the Tambo Valley or High Country of East Gippsland to have a serious discussion about this matter.

“This is a mistake and they must backtrack and ensure they fund the wild dog bounty in the State Budget next month so Victorian farmers and hunters continue to be supported in the fight against wild dogs.”

Mr Bull said while the wild dog problem is one that will always impact the region, some headway was being made after the Coalition Government introduced a number of actions including:

•    Re-introduced the Lanes traps at the request of doggers and local community members after they were banned by Labor.

•    Introduced aerial baiting in Victoria despite initial Federal Labor opposition to the proposal.

•    Introduced the wild dog bounty.

•    Overturned Labor’s limitation not to allow farmers to undertake dog control measures outside their boundary as part of their co-ordinated baiting programs - with the intention to grow this in more areas.

•    Established and grown community baiting programs with many landholders now participating.

•    Maintained 72 hour trap checking for doggers (rather than move to 24 hour checking as Labor stated would occur) to allow doggers more flexibility to go about their business.

•    Restructured of the wild dog management group as requested with stronger Tambo Valley representation.

•    Made it easier for doggers to work outside the 3km buffer zone when required and committed to removing the zone altogether.

•    Employing contractor and casual staff to provide more flexibility to the wild dog control program and allowing for the use of younger doggers to be employed, forming the basis of a transition plan.

Caption: Wild dogs in East Gippsland have been given a life-line with the scrapping of the wild dog bounty.