In this section:

Farmers allowed to use aerial baiting below the dog fence

Media Release

4th July 2011

The State Government has responded to calls from landowners to allow aerial baiting of dingoes in specific areas below the Dog Fence to help protect South Australia’s rangelands sheep industry.

Minister for Environment and Conservation Paul Caica said the South Australian Farmers Federation and the SA Arid Lands NRM Board had raised concerns of high dingo numbers below the Dog Fence.

In announcing the policy change, Mr Caica also rejected calls to reintroduce a dingo bounty, saying studies have found bounty systems are not effective in controlling pests.

Aerial baiting of dingoes is still prohibited north of the Dog Fence.

Mr Caica said the decision to allow private land owners to dispense dingo baits from the air on their properties south of the Dog Fence, will give extra strength to the SAAL NRM Board’s current three-year ‘Operation Biteback’ dingo control program.

“I met with SAFF and they advised me that there are high numbers of dingoes on many properties south of the Dog Fence that have caused significant stock losses for sheep producers,” he said.

“The State Government has responded to these concerns and will allow farmers to aerial bait, which is a policy that is also supported by the NRM Council and NRM boards. This change in policy will give landholders better management options to deal with the issue.

“I am advised the greatest gains from aerial baiting can be made where it occurs across multiple properties in areas that are difficult to access from the ground.”

Below the Dog Fence dingoes are declared a pest Under the Natural Resources Management Act and landholders are required to control them.

Mr Caica said areas must be strategically targeted and strict conditions will be placed on aerial baiting.

“Aerial baiting can only be done by those accredited by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority,’’ he said.

“It must also comply with Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority’s directions for use of 1080 baits to minimise the risk of off-target poisoning of domestic dogs or other animals.

“Dingoes are relatively large and sensitive to 1080, so baits are not sufficiently toxic to harm native carnivore populations. Sophisticated GPS systems are used by professional pilots to air operators, allow the avoidance of roads where the risk to domestic dogs is highest.”

Mr Caica said aerial baiting is restricted to the SAAL NRM Board region and is not needed in other NRM regions because dingoes are not in numbers to warrant it.