“In reintroducing the bounty, we are aiming to replicate the success of the 2003 program when about 198,000 foxes were killed,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Walsh said the State Government’s token ‘Fox Stop’ program had proved to be an abject failure.
“Just 6,200 foxes were killed last year under the Fox Stop program last year, as opposed to 198,000 when the Fox Bounty was trialled in 2003,” Mr Walsh said.
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Wow, the numbers speak for themselves. lol I say bring back the bounty program because the Fox Stop program looks pretty ineffective. If you read through the rules and such for the Fox Stop program, you can kind of see why it sucks. The bounty program is simple and plays well to free market forces that work. You assign a value to the animal, and you open up the hunt to those who have a license. Simple and easy to understand. –Matt
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Coalition vows to bring back the bounty
10 May, 2010
A VICTORIAN Liberal Nationals Coalition Government will implement a year-round statewide bounty to control fox and wild dog numbers across Victoria.
Shadow Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Leader of The Nationals Peter Ryan, and Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Deputy Leader of The Nationals Peter Walsh today announced $4 million over four years to establish a Fox and Wild Dog Bounty if elected to government.
Mr Ryan said Victorian fox and wild dog numbers had exploded in recent years and were a serious threat to farming communities and the natural environment.
“Foxes and wild dogs are exposing farmers to severe stock losses, resulting in hefty costs to farm businesses and Victoria’s economy,” Mr Ryan said.
“Under the Coalition’s program all licensed shooters, including rural landholders, will be eligible for a $10 bounty for every fox and a $50 bounty for every dog killed.
“Research shows foxes are estimated to cost Australia more than $228 million per year in combined environmental and agricultural impacts and control costs, with the direct impact on sheep production alone estimated at $17.5 million every year – in some areas they have been known to take up to 30 per cent of lambs.
“In reintroducing the bounty, we are aiming to replicate the success of the 2003 program when about 198,000 foxes were killed,” Mr Ryan said.
Mr Walsh said the State Government’s token ‘Fox Stop’ program had proved to be an abject failure.
“Just 6,200 foxes were killed last year under the Fox Stop program last year, as opposed to 198,000 when the Fox Bounty was trialled in 2003,” Mr Walsh said.
Story here.
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FoxStop 2010 website here.
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Fox, wild dog bounties under state coalition
David McKenzie
May 10, 2010
BOUNTIES for killing foxes and wild dogs will be re-introduced next year if the Liberal Nationals Coalition wins the November state election.
The $4 million, four year proposal was unveiled today by Shadow Minister for Regional and Rural Development and Nationals leader of Peter Ryan and Shadow Agriculture Minister and deputy Nationals leader Peter Walsh.Under the proposed Fox and Wild Dog Bounty, all licensed shooters, including rural landholders, would be eligible for a $10 bounty for every fox and a $50 bounty for every dog killed. Mr Ryan said Victorian fox and wild dog numbers had exploded in recent years and were a serious threat to farming communities and the natural environment.Foxes and wild dogs are exposing farmers to severe stock losses, resulting in hefty costs to farm businesses and Victoria’s economy,” Mr Ryan said.Native fauna and our natural ecosystems are also under threat from these introduced vermin.”Research showed foxes cost Australia more than $228 million a year in combined environmental and agricultural impacts and control costs, Mr Ryan said.The direct impact on sheep production alone was estimated at $17.5 million every year, he said. “In some areas they have been known to take up to 30 per cent of lambs.”The Fox and Wild Dog Bounty would give community groups, rural landholders and shooting organisations an active management role in controlling Victoria’s fox problem, Mr Ryan said.The bounty will be a vital part of a comprehensive fox and wild dog eradication program to protect livestock and the natural environment.We are aiming to replicate the success of the 2003 program when about 198,000 foxes were killed.”Mr Walsh said the Brumby Government’s token `Fox Stop’ program had proved to be an abject failure.The Government has ignored the state’s wild dog problem and has failed to control fox numbers,” he said.Only 6,200 foxes were killed last year under the Fox Stop program, Mr walsh said.The Coalition’s plan will ensure control of foxes and wild dogs is no longer funded on a temporary, ad-hoc basis,” he said.The Fox and Wild Dog Bounty will be part of a fully-integrated pest control program which includes poisoning and other measures to control vermin.”
Story here.