DECWA pastoral practices need improving

The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) is calling on the Department of Environment and Conservation Western Australia (DECWA) to make changes to its inadequate pastoral land management practices.

DECWA’s current pastoral land management program, as has been recently highlighted in the media in relation to Warriedar Station, involves turning off all man-made water sources in an attempt to return pastoral land “back-to-nature”.

WAFarmers President, Mike Norton, noted that the situation at Warriedar Station highlights that DECWA’s land management practices fall far short of what is acceptable by both industry and the general public.

“As well as the apparent animal suffering resulting from DECWA’s poor management choices, there is also concern over wild dog populations increasing on DECWA managed land and surrounding areas,” said Mr Norton.

“Wild dogs are dangerous and destructive pests which cost the Western Australian sheep and cattle industries up to $5.75m and $2.84m respectively each year.

“In the absence of proper management by DECWA, this pastoral land is becoming a breeding ground for these pests.

“Industry requires greater support from Government in managing the proliferation of wild dogs, not a contribution towards the problem.

“It is essential that DECWA immediately lifts its level of animal management to at least a level that is expected of commercial producers.

The Review of the Economic and Ecological Sustainability of Pastoralism in the Southern Rangelands of Western Australia, (the Duncan Report) was released by the Southern Rangelands Pastoral Advisory Group in October 2009 and included recommendations on wild dog management and biosecurity.

“The Western Australian Government needs to work with the pastoral industry to ensure these pastoral leases remain profitable, and the recommendations made in the Duncan Report should be immediately taken on board by the State Government,” Mr Norton concluded.