Review shows big impact of feral goat eradication program

30/7/96

The feral goat eradication program conducted throughout the pastoral regions of Western Australia has had a big impact on reducing goat numbers, according to a review of the program released today by Primary Industry Minister Monty House.

Mr House said the eradication program had been in place for five years and had resulted in more than 1.6 million feral goats being removed from the rangeland.

He said this decline in feral goats had dramatically reduced rangeland degradation and improved productivity of the land.

Eradication involved a combination of trapping, mustering for sale, ground shooting and helicopter shooting.

Mr House said considering these findings, he supported the recommendation that the program be phased out over the next three years to allow a domestic goat industry to develop.

The review recommended the eradication program continue for a further three years to capitalise on the eradication achievements of the past five years and to ensure feral goat numbers were maintained at a manageable level.

"The committee found there was scope for a significant domestic goat industry to be developed and recommended that Agriculture Western Australia cease its eradication program after three years to allow the domestic industry to be further expanded," Mr House said.

"Providing the industry is well on its way to establishing a controlled domestic industry, I also support the recommendation to cease commercialisation after three years.

"The committee believes that after three years, feral goat numbers will be at a manageable level and pastoralists will be responsible for keeping numbers down on their properties.

"One of the major recommendations is the revamping of the Feral Goat Eradication Committee to ensure that a more strategic approach to the program is achieved.

"I will be appointing an independent chairman and a combination of industry and Government representatives to achieve the recommendations outlined in the report."

Other recommendations agreed to by the Minister include:

·       that landholders are obliged to comply with the relevant Acts to achieve the goals of the eradication program;

·       that a domestication program may proceed in accordance with management guidelines determined by the Pastoral Board;

·       that a program manager/co-ordinator of the Feral Goat Eradication Program be appointed on a full-time basis;

·       that ammunition reimbursement be provided for ground shooting of feral goats;

·       that resources are made available to fund inspectorial activities to ensure landholders comply with the goals of the program;

·       that the Pastoral Board adopts the concept of total grazing biomass in assessing the carrying capacity of pastoral leases;

·       that helicopter shooting of feral goats only be used in areas where prior assessment has determined that commercial numbers are not present; and -

·       that all avenues of funding for the eradication program be assessed.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell (09) 481 2044