Australian Pork: Feral pigs’ estimated annual $100m damage bill is “tip of the iceberg”

A 2020 report says feral pigs are one of the most destructive invasive species in Australia
calendar icon 5 April 2021
clock icon 3 minute read

The report is part of the development of the National Feral Pig Action Plan, a $1.4 million Federal Government initiative which is being managed by APL due to the direct threat feral pigs pose to Australia’s commercial pork industry as potential carriers of African swine fever (ASF).

“Feral pigs are one of the most destructive invasive species in Australia, with an estimated national population of up to 24 million, spread across 45 per cent of the country or some 3.43 million square kilometres,” National Feral Pig Management Coordinator, Dr Heather Channon, said.

“This report confirms that even conservative modelling indicates that feral pigs cause more than $100 million in direct economic costs to the agricultural sector each year. They cause losses in productivity through livestock predation, competing for feed, fouling water sources, damaging farm infrastructure, reducing crop yields, spreading invasive weeds and acting as a vector for disease.

“The potential cost posed by feral pigs’ ability to act as carriers of endemic and exotic diseases is substantial. The annual estimated damage bill of $100 million seems to be just the tip of the iceberg.”

Dr Channon said that while feral pigs are prolific in Queensland, the NT and NSW, local populations can be found across the continent, especially near wetlands and other watercourses. She said analysis is being undertaken by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) to estimate the feral pig population’s current distribution and density.

“Feral pigs can increase their population by more than 85 per cent a year. Typically, 55-70% of feral pigs need to be culled annually to keep the population size from expanding,” Dr Channon said.

“We’re dealing with highly fertile, intelligent animals with a wide-ranging omnivorous diet, which is why feral pig management is such a complex issue for industry and all tiers of government.

“The challenge of the National Feral Pig Action Plan is to develop a coordinated, best-practice approach to feral pig management, similar to what the National Wild Dog Action Plan is delivering.

“Effective management of feral pigs will require a well-coordinated approach between all relevant stakeholders and the success of a sustained reduction in damage caused by feral pigs will be contingent upon ongoing control, continued monitoring and cohesive control efforts.”

The release of the APL report coincides with the first meeting of the National Feral Pig Action Plan steering group, held on July 15, and chaired by experienced agribusiness leader John Maher.

The steering group represents a wide range of stakeholders groups and is guiding the development of a preliminary Action Plan to be delivered to the Federal Department of Agriculture in 2021.

The full report is available here.

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