Landholder collaboration key to controlling pest foxes in the New England
12 Jun 2024
For the first time ever, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services will be offering free baits for the control of foxes for all accredited participants in the program this year.
Foxes are an introduced pest species that prey on lambs, calves and poultry, and can spread disease and parasites to both animals and humans alike. Foxes also damage the natural environment, assisting with the spread of weeds, and preying on native wildlife including possums, wallabies, birds, reptiles and frogs. As foxes roam between properties, the community needs to work together to control fox populations in the New England.
Michael Smart, Biosecurity Officer at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services said that cooperation between neighbouring producers was key to the success of the program.
“This program has been running since the early 2000s, and we have always relied on the support of local volunteers to help us coordinate the groups at 18 localities across the region, and widespread participation from landholders”, he said. “Through this support we are able to reduce the impact of fox predation on local ecosystems and livestock in the region.”
Landholders can get involved by joining a local fox control baiting group. The 2024 group baiting schedule can be found on the Local Land Services website at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pest-control/bait-collection/bait-collection-in-the-northern-tablelands
All landholders participating must be accredited and present their chemical card or arrange for an authorised agent to collect and lay baits on their behalf through Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.
Free online Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training courses are also available to gain accreditation for a period of 5 years. Landholders can learn more at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pest-control/vertebrate-pesticide-induction-training.
Foxes are an introduced pest species that prey on lambs, calves and poultry, and can spread disease and parasites to both animals and humans alike. Foxes also damage the natural environment, assisting with the spread of weeds, and preying on native wildlife including possums, wallabies, birds, reptiles and frogs. As foxes roam between properties, the community needs to work together to control fox populations in the New England.
Michael Smart, Biosecurity Officer at Northern Tablelands Local Land Services said that cooperation between neighbouring producers was key to the success of the program.
“This program has been running since the early 2000s, and we have always relied on the support of local volunteers to help us coordinate the groups at 18 localities across the region, and widespread participation from landholders”, he said. “Through this support we are able to reduce the impact of fox predation on local ecosystems and livestock in the region.”
Landholders can get involved by joining a local fox control baiting group. The 2024 group baiting schedule can be found on the Local Land Services website at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pest-control/bait-collection/bait-collection-in-the-northern-tablelands
All landholders participating must be accredited and present their chemical card or arrange for an authorised agent to collect and lay baits on their behalf through Northern Tablelands Local Land Services.
Free online Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training courses are also available to gain accreditation for a period of 5 years. Landholders can learn more at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pest-control/vertebrate-pesticide-induction-training.
Landholders interested in participating in the program should contact Northern Tablelands Local Land Services on (02) 6770 2000. More information is available at https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pest-control/bait-collection/bait-collection-in-the-northern-tablelands