|
|
|
Bait program to replace $2m fox bounty trial
13 Aug 2003
The $2 million Victorian fox bounty trial has failed to cull fox numbers and will be replaced with an extended baiting program. About 170,000 fox tails have been handed in since the trial began in July 2002, but Victoria's Environment Minister, John Thwaites, said this has had little impact and the trial will be phased out by the end of August 2003. The decision was based on an scientific evaluation report commissioned by the Department of Sustainability and Environment.
The decision was criticised by the Victorian Farmers' Federation, the National Party and Field & Game Australia. VicNats spokesman Peter Walsh said a baiting program could not replace the bounty. If the Minister can guarantee that increased baiting can kill an extra 170,000 foxes a year, maybe there is a case, but I don't believe he can do that, he said.
Mr Thwaites commented that the bounty had provided valuable information but was costly to administer. He said the bounty's effect had varied depending on the number of shooters in an area and had cost more than $800,000 in administration associated with collecting the tails.
The report said the bounty system had only produced patchy results, with more than 60 per cent declines achieved in less than 4 per cent of the state. An expanded baiting program has greater potential, according to the report.
The Age, 13/8/03.
|
|
