Cull figures show scale of challenge

TASMANIAN farmers say the wildlife cull figures show just how big the browsing animal problem landowners are facing is.

State Government figures for 2023-2024 show 1373 Property Protection Permits were issued to farmers and land managers across the state and 675,685 animals were culled.

The total included 528,378 wallabies, 128,585 possums, 29,252 fallow deer and 3874 sulphur-crested cockatoos. 

TasFarmers president Ian Sauer said while the numbers are significant, they show just how big the issue problem of managing browsing animals is.

He said the expansion of irrigation, along with increased cropping and pastures, meant wildlife numbers were going up.

“Yes, they are large numbers and those numbers are there because they’ve got plenty to eat, plenty of shelter and native animals normally reproduce more when they have more shelter and food,” he said. 

Mr Sauer said TasFarmers backed the current permit system.

“The highly regulated permit process ensures transparency, with all activities meticulously recorded, monitored, and publicly accessible online, allowing anyone to review the published results,” he said.

Mr Sauer said research has shown that each year animal predation costs the agricultural industry around $16 million in lost production.

He said a reduction in the amount of traditional control methods like 1080 poison had also seen an increase in wildlife. 

Farmers report that as well as impacting farmland, increasing populations are putting pressure on native forests and grasslands.

While shooting is used to control animal numbers, he said a multi pronged, sciencebased approach was needed to combat the issue effectively.

“Farmers have always taken this issue seriously,” he said.

“They bear a significant financial and environmental responsibility, they work to mitigate the problem through a range of techniques including scaring, netting, sound barriers, lights, and installing wallaby fencing, at four times the cost of regular fencing.” 

Mr Sauer said while culling is not enjoyable, for many farmers it is necessary.

“Farmers don’t go out to cull browsing animals for the fun of it. They have to do it, or they wouldn’t be in business.” 

Greens Primary Industries spokesperson Tabatha Badger said the party was concerned about the scale of animal killing resulting from the property protection permit system. 

She is calling on the State Government to help landowners.

“In the growing climate and biodiversity crisis it’s important the Government does more to encourage alternatives to culling wherever possible,” she said.

“These permits are often being used because they are free, whereas other options can be really expensive.

“We believe there is much more potential for alternatives to be used, whether that’s fencing, netting, repellents, or other methods.

It’s too much to expect farmers to make this adjustment alone – the Government should play a role in supporting them.”