Eradicating feral pigs would ‘save millions’

Livestock producers would be big winners from eradicating feral pigs — and an expert believes it can be done, like this.

The beef industry could save a whopping $17.6 million a year if feral pigs were eradicated across the country.

And with the constant threat of African Swine Fever looming on the horizon, one industry expert is advocating for acceptance of a draft National Feral Pig Action Plan, which would unite all levels of government and industry in the management of the destructive pest.

Effective feral-pig management requires all levels of government and industry to unite, says expert John Maher. Picture: Steve Maxwell

Steering group chair John Maher said the overriding message from producers and stakeholders was better coordination when tackling feral pig management.

“It’s quite fragmented, both in the actions and the research,” Mr Maher said.

“That communication and coordination needs to be not only national, but at a state and most importantly at a regional level. It’s all very well for one property owner to be managing pigs on their property, but if their neighbour isn’t, it’s a moot exercise.”

The National Feral Pig action plan, which received $1.4 million in funding from the Federal Government in 2019, will work to coordinate feral pig control methods across state and territory governments and landholders.

Mr Maher said the while the impact of feral pigs was spread “across all commodities”, the livestock industry could be vulnerable to biosecurity risks, such as Foot and Mouth disease and African Swine Fever if the nationwide feral pig population isn’t managed.

“Latest figures show about $106 million worth of damage across agriculture a year, and ag producers are spending up to $50 million trying to manage those pigs,” Mr Maher said.

“If African Swine Fever gets into Australia, it’ll have a huge impact on our pork industry, but it’ll impact other industries. And it’ll affect our clean brand industry. Feral pigs, they also carry foot and mouth, different parasites, it’ll definitely have an impact.”

The first draft of the plan was submitted to the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment in January this year.