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On another subject. Finally the Shooters & Fishers Party of NSW message seems to have gotten through. *** . NSW Government declares foxes as invasive as rabbits, feral pigs and wild dogs NSW COUNTRY HOUR SALLY BRYANT UPDATED FRI AT 3:44PM The New South Wales Minister for Agriculture Katrina Hodgkinson has declared war on the fox in her state, saying it's more than time that foxes were considered as destructive as feral pigs, rabbits and wild dogs. The Minister says by instituting a pest control order on foxes the Government will give additional strength to the work that Invasive Species Co-operative Research Centre staff are already doing. Ms Hodgkinson says it's surprising that the pest control order has not been instituted in the past, and it's overdue. "Placing a pest control order on foxes will bring their control into line with that of other threats to our environment and agricultural production, like feral pigs and feral dogs," she said. "There will be serious penalties in place if people do not comply with the pest control orders. Penalties can be as much as $8,500." Glen Saunders used to head up the management of invasive species with the Department of Primary Industries. He's played a role in managing the problem of the European red fox in Australia and he's recognised as being an authority on the issue. He says the impact of foxes in Australia should not be underestimated. He says they continue to spread across the landscape. "They're pretty much everywhere these days, across 97 per cent of NSW, and that includes the urban environment," he said. "It's not just a question of them predating on native and on young farm animals, they present a grave risk in spreading disease. READ MORE: http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-03/beefing-up-the-fight-against-the-fox-in-nsw/5788914 |