PRESS RELEASE 09/01/09
FRUIT GROWERS’ COMPLAINTS ABOUT UNFAIR TREATMENT UNFOUNDED
Mark Panitz, Growcom spokesperson, is incorrect in stating that there was no consultation with industry
(CM Farmers deny fudging losses 08/01/09) over the Qld government’s move to ban the shooting of
flying foxes under Damage Mitigation permits to protect fruit crops.
Individual fruit growers complaining who feel badly done by are not in touch with their own industry or
they should know that the Government provided a lengthy consultation period during which fruit growing
industry representatives and individual growers had ample opportunity to present their case as did
conservationists, animal welfare advocate and any other interested stakeholders.
After months of deliberation and consultation with stakeholders, the State Government Animal Welfare
Advisory Committee found that shooting was a very inefficient and inhumane control mechanism and
that exclusion netting is the most effective and humane method of controlling flying fox predation. 80%
of the State’s lychee crop is protected by exclusion netting and up to 90% of fruit crops generally in SE
Qld and Northern NSW are either partly or fully netted.
This close scrutiny of shooting as a predation control method should have come as no surprise to anyone
in the industry. Conservationists have been arguing the case for alternative methods for years.
Animal Liberation Qld calls on
the government to stand firm on this decision to encourage farmers to more effectively protect
their crops
farmers to cooperate and make the change to exclusion netting, noise and smell deterrents or any
humane method they find effective
Further information Cynthia Burnett, media spokesperson, 0412 100 539
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