Feral pigs
Feral pigs cost Australia’s agriculture more than $100 million per year.
The National Feral Pig Action Plan (2021-2031) is reducing the impact of feral pigs. The plan is a co-investment with states, territories and industry, and was agreed in October 2021 by the National Biosecurity Committee.
The Australian Government provides funding support to Australian Pork Limited to host the National Feral Pig Management Coordinator - Dr Heather Channon. Dr Channon supports the implementation of the National Feral Pig Action Plan which promotes best practice feral pig control. This helps farmers, land managers, and the wider community to reduce the impacts of feral pigs.
- The Action Plan supports the National Threat Abatement Plan for predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission by feral pigs (2017).
Wild dogs
Wild dogs cost Australia’s agricultural sector up to $89 million per year in stock losses.
The National Wild Dog Action Plan 2020-2030 increases best practice wild dog management. Industry and governments fund the plan, which was agreed upon in March 2020 by the National Biosecurity Committee.
The National Wild Dog Management Coordinator is Mr Greg Mifsud, from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions. This position is funded by partners.
We provide support funding to Australian Wool Innovation Limited, who work with the National Coordinator to deliver the Action Plan.
We have also invested in activities with states and territories to manage wild dogs, such as the South Australian Wild Dog Fence.
Feral deer
Feral deer are estimated to cost Australian communities and primary producers $91 million a year.
The National Feral Deer Action Plan 2023-2027 will limit the spread of feral deer into new areas and reduce their impacts, and was endorsed by the National Biosecurity Committee in June 2023..
The National Feral Deer Management Coordinator is Dr Annelise Wiebkin.
Feral cats and foxes
We fund the Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator position.
Ms Gillian Basnett is the Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordinator, from the Centre for Invasive Species Solutions.
The role reduces the impacts of feral cats and foxes on biodiversity and agriculture. The role supports the Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) for predation by feral cats and the TAP for predation by European red fox.
Wild rabbits
Wild rabbits cost agriculture over $216 million every year (estimated in 2014).
We invest in research and development and new technology to improve the control of rabbit populations.
We take part in the Australian Rabbit Managers Network.