Ms BADGER ‑ Minister, we’re hearing increasing reports from the community about the impact of feral pigs, and we know how incredibly detrimental they can be. They are just one of the increasing numbers of invasive species that we’re hearing about. There are also reports of, for example, goats. Obviously, the tracking of these animals would be easy under the new PIC scheme coming in. From 2025 that would be easier.
When this happens, will the government be declaring unmarked roaming pigs and goats and other destructive animals as a pest under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations 2021 so that it will enable effective control of these animals?
Ms HOWLETT ‑ Sorry, there were a few questions in that question, if I could just ask you to repeat it.
Ms BADGER ‑ The guts of the question is, will the government consider declaring unmarked pigs and goats as a pest under the Nature Conservation (Wildlife) Regulations 2021 so that it can enable effective control of these species causing damage.
Ms WILSON ‑ Through you, minister, I’d need to get some specific advice about the status of pigs, but my understanding is that under the Animal Welfare Act, they’re already listed as a feral species. Under the Local Government Act, domestic pigs are managed through the Local Government Act and those powers. We’re undertaking, for example, feral pig management on Flinders Island. On the mainland of Tasmania, it will depend upon the status of pigs, but as far as Biosecurity Tasmania is aware there are no feral pig populations, as properly defined, on mainland Tasmania.
Ms HOWLETT ‑ Thank you, deputy secretary. Just to add to that, under the Local Government Act 1993, councils are given powers to impound any animal straying or at large, either near a highway or on council owned or controlled land. Councils may also issue abatement notices to anyone who directly or indirectly creates a nuisance as well. As pigs are already listed on the pest register, I’m advised that the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania does not consider that any changes to the Animal Welfare Act 1993 are warranted at this stage.
Would you like me to provide some more information to that? I can ask Rae Burrows to talk more to that.
Ms BADGER ‑ I’m happy to take more information on notice if that’s okay.
Ms HOWLETT – Yes, that’s fine.
