FARMERS in the north-east are sighing with relief following the decision by the Victorian Government to extend the unprotection order for dingoes and wild dogs, however, farmers in the north-west will be supported by a $2 million investment to assist with monitoring and adoption of non-lethal dingo management strategies.
Environment minister, Steve Dimopoulos and agriculture minister, Ros Spence announced on Tuesday the continuation of the dingo unprotection order in north-east and eastern Victoria, which permits the control of dingoes on private land and along the boundaries of public land until January 1, 2028.
Dingoes will continue to be protected in the north-west of the state where the dingo population is critically low.
Lethal controls will not be permitted on private or public land in the north-west.
The government stated there is little evidence that dingoes are present in large numbers in these parts of the state.
The new support package will fund trials, research and on-ground advice on non-lethal dingo management strategies that minimise the risk of livestock predation in the north-west – building on the work already underway as part of the $550,000 North West Vertebrate Pest Management program announced in March this year.
Victoria Valley farmers, John and Rhonda Crawford said farmers were hugely relieved in the north-east and Gippsland areas that the Wild Dog control program has been renewed for three and a quarter years.
“We feel like common sense has prevailed,” she said.
“It would have been good if it was for the five years as it has been in the past apart from last year when they did it for one year when the review was on.
“It’s taken a lot of effort by farmers and the VFF and Victorian Stud Merino Sheep Breeders Association (VSMSBA) members; a lot of effort from people to get the message across to the Victorian Government that this program needed to be continued.
“We are disappointed that the farmers in the north-west of the state still can’t do anything because their ban that started in the middle of March, is still continuing on so nothing has altered for them but at least in the north-east they can control the wild dogs and dingoes so farmers in those areas can protect their livestock.
“Myself and Alan Harris – the president of the VSMSBA – and Neil Mitchell, a sheep producer, we had an online meeting with Ros Spence, the minister for agriculture on 16 September for half an hour.
“She listened to our concerns and that was a really good meeting.
“She said our feedback was in line with what she was hearing form the survey that more than 500 farmers completed.
“We did say the consultation period was a bit rushed – we let it be known we didn’t think that was good enough.
“I told her we had over 11,500 signatures from all around the state that wanted to see the program continued.
“They wanted farmers to still be able to protect their livestock, their livelihood and their mental health.
“I said to her thank you for listening – I’m sure she got the message.”
“We just feel sorry for the farmers in the north-west.”
The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to extend the unprotection order for dingoes and said it was a common sense move that will ensure farmers are equipped with the tools needed to protect their livestock.
VFF president, Emma Germano said the decision follows months of sustained advocacy by farmers to ensure the welfare of livestock in the face of wild dog attacks is balanced with the need for dingo conservation.
“This is a sorely needed win for common sense,” she said.
“Farmers are breathing a huge sigh of relief, and I would like to thank Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence and Minister for Environment Minister, Steve Dimopoulos for listening to us.
“It has been an enormous effort by farmers, industry and everyone involved to have their say and make a difference.”
“Farmers and local communities now have greater certainty when it comes to wild dog control methods and that lifts a huge burden from their shoulders.
“Moving forward, we will be making a point of working with traditional owners and conservationists to help ensure we reach mutual ground on issues like this.”
Ms Germano added that work remains to be done regarding the earlier announced lifting of the unprotection order in Victoria’s north-west and the government’s consultation on the issue.
“Farmers in Victoria’s north-west are still exposed to the horrors inflicted by wild dogs on their livestock and we are working to reach a workable solution as soon as possible,” she said.
“The stories I’ve been hearing from local farmers in that area (are) tragic and I hope the decision in the north-east could be a light at the end of the tunnel for farmers in our north-west.”
“We’re seeking a much clearer process and timeframe on all decisions like these.
“We could have avoided so much angst and worry with a much better consultative roadmap.”
“Solutions such as the reinstatement of the Wild Dogs Advisory Committee is a place for all stakeholders to come together and it would be hugely beneficial moving forward.”
However, the Victorian National Parks Association (VNPA) said it was deeply disappointed by the Victorian Government’s decision to continue culling native dingoes until 2028 despite their ecological importance and cultural significance to First Nations communities.
It said the 11th-hour consultation process undertaken by the government was poor and left no room for all Victorians to contribute to the future of dingoes in Victoria and believes the decision was made prior to the full conclusion of the consultation process.
Lowan MP and shadow agriculture minister, Emma Kealy said north-west Victoria must not be forgotten despite the Victorian Government bowing to pressure and extending wild dog control in north-east Victoria until January 1, 2028.
“The government in March revoked an unprotection order on wild dogs in the north-west of the state with only a few hours’ notice – and without consultation,” she said.
“While the opposite corner of the state has won a reprieve to allow wild dog control, producers in the north-west are facing the devastating loss of livestock.
“It’s so cruel that livestock are being mercilessly mauled and producers trying to protect animals have no means to do so.
“They have suffered a rise in wild dog attacks.
“In many cases, the dogs maul stock to such an extent they suffer a slow and painful death.
“The Liberals and Nationals have always stood by local producers and join them in their fight to retain wild dog management.
“Labor can’t manage agriculture, and producers are paying the price.”
