Feral pig blitz missing the mark

The state government is under pressure to do more to address feral pigs as numbers of the pests continue to explode.

NSW Farmers, the state’s peak farming body, has called for more action along with the Member for Northern Tablelands Brendan Moylan.

Member for Barwon Roy Butler queried the state government in parliament last week with a question on notice.

Mr Butler is seeking a response to what the government has in place to ensure funding and support programs are aligned with the rapid increase in its growing population.

The last few years have proved favourable conditions for feral pig reproduction, Mr Butler said in his question on notice.

Mr Butler said in 2026 there is a 12-month extension to the feral pig management program, offering eligible farmers access to subsidised 1080 poison for baiting.

“Can the minister advise how affective this program has been in eradicating feral animals?,” Mr Butler questioned.

“How does this success measure against the scale of feral pig reproduction? Is there are decline in numbers when a comparison is made?”

A response to Mr Butler’s query is due by March 10.

Media reports of 53,000 feral pigs culled by authorities over the past year were dwarfed by the estimated tens of millions of the pests farmers were reporting in the paddock, NSW Farmers president Xavier Martin said.

“This isn’t the whole population control we need to see, it’s just a few bits of bacon,” Mr Martin said.

“We’ve never seen pig numbers this bad before, and I’m hearing report upon report from farmers who have hordes of these pests just tearing through their farms like a relentless force that can’t be stopped.”

Mr Martin said farmers feared the feral pig population would only surge without the delivery of an effective control strategy in the next state budget.

“Five figure culls simply aren’t going to do the job when numbers are surging, farmers are being restricted in what tools they can use, and there’s no guarantee of funding for control programs past June 30,” Mr Martin said.

“Previous investments have been helpful, but we need to see the state government commit to a long term, coordinated control strategy that doesn’t just draw on a variety of tactics, but delivers real results.

“The NSW government has promised to do its bit to control these pests, but we know they’re still breeding up on public land as farmers fight an uphill battle against them.

“It’s time for the Treasurer to come to the party this state budget season and get serious about feral pigs if we’re ever going to break the breeding cycle, for good.”

With population numbers of feral pigs estimated to be more than 100 million across the country, Mr Moylan said the government’s response to pig numbers is a drop in the ocean.

“The destruction being caused is immense and our farmers are fighting a losing battle,” Mr Moylan said.

“Feral pigs are tearing through native vegetation and damaging fragile ecosystems, particularly ground-level plant layers.

“They are also attacking livestock, including lambs and calves as well as destroying crops and soil.

“Current control methods – such as aerial shooting, baiting and trapping – are simply not keeping pace.

“Culling in the tens of thousands won’t make a dent when pig numbers are exploding, landholders are limited in the control methods they’re allowed to use.

“What is needed is increased funding and locally focused control programs. A one-size-fits-all approach across the state will not work.

“Control efforts must be targeted and ongoing, because once an area is treated, pig numbers rebound with extraordinary speed.