VFF president Emma Germano.

VICTORIA’S peak farmer body has urged north-west livestock producers to report all wild dog interactions as it seeks government commitments to avoid further attacks on sheep and cattle after the lifting of a dingo ‘unprotection’ order in the region.

The Victorian Farmers Federation has called for a number of key commitments by the government to ensure farmers have confidence and certainty following the shock announcement on 14 March to lift the unprotection order for dingoes in north-west Victoria.

The order lifting, also threatened for north-east Victoria, has meant attacks by wild dogs or dingoes on livestock but a delay on the issuing of Authority to Control Wildlife permits with the government wanting landowners to provide physical proof that dingoes are causing the damage, but also not scare or disturb the wild dogs.

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Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said it’s disgraceful that some farmers are losing up to 30 sheep a week and yet the Allan Labor Government refuses to issue permission to trap the wild dogs as they maintain a sheer lack of consultation to farmers.

“This is devastating to landholders and the Allan Labor Government must act swifty to avoid any further cruelty to stock and stress to farmers,” Ms Kealy said.

“The graphic details of the DEECA letter outlining the attacks on Mr. Bennett’s livestock paint a stark picture of the challenges farmers are confronting.

“The carcases scattered across their land represent more than just a blow to their livelihood; they inflict deep emotional wounds and impose substantial financial burdens as well.”

Farmers facing dire situation – Germano

VFF president Emma Germano said the federation in a recent meeting explained Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence the dire situation facing some farmers and outlined a number of recommendations to avoid a repeat of the current situation.

“We warned that lifting the unprotection order for dingoes in the north-west would result in livestock maulings and deaths and sadly that’s exactly what’s happened,” Ms Germano said.

“The blindsided nature of this announcement left farmers and communities completely unprepared and that’s simply not good enough.”

The commitments sought from the Victorian Government, include:

A commitment to re-establish the Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee to help ensure future decisions are informed directly by the knowledge and experience of livestock producers.

A commitment to support and fund wild dog management activities that give farmers and communities the suite of tools which are proven to achieve outcomes.

A commitment to support producers in the north west with relevant information; to provide expeditated decision making and granting of Authority to Control Wildlife permits; and an expedited review of the government’s revocation of the unprotection order.

Ms Germano urged local farmers to report all interactions with wild dogs to Agriculture Victoria to place further pressure on the Victorian Government to act.

“We know this decision is leading to more wild dog attacks on livestock.

“To help build the case for action, it’s crucial that farmers report all interactions with wild dogs to Agriculture Victoria, especially attacks on livestock and the number of stock impacted,” she said.

“Farmers in the north west can also apply for Authority to Control Wildlife permits to manage dingoes through the Victorian Government.”

“It’s a sorry state of affairs when it’s left to us farmers to demonstrate the destruction of this decision, rather than consulting with us before it actually happens,” Ms Germano said.

“Our goal is to directly show the government that their actions have consequences and to trigger an urgent rethink.”