The NSW Greens are calling for a $200 million increase over the next four years in funding for pest, weed and feral animal control and want legislation protecting feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park repealed.
Launching their biosecurity plan Greens MP Cate Faehrmann called for the repeal of legislation protecting feral horses and a humane, professional cull of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park.
“The fragile and unique Kosciuszko National Park is under attack,” she said.
“The NSW Government is protecting destructive feral horses at the expense of Kosciuszko’s incredible natural values and threatened species.
“Guided by experts and the best available science, the Greens policy is for a 90% reduction of feral horses in Kosciuszko NP within three years.
“This would be achieved using all effective and humane control methods including professional aerial and ground shooting and mustering, trapping and rehoming where possible.”
The Greens also support a longer term goal of full eradication for feral horses in the area and will prioritise the rehabilitation of areas of Kosciuszko National Park impacted by feral horses to date.
The Greens plan calls for:
- $200 million increase in funding for pest, weed and feral animal control.
- $5 million/year High Risk Incursion Response Fund for environmental threats.
- Repeal of legislation protecting feral horses and a humane, professional cull of feral horses in Kosciuszko National Park.
- A ‘permitted list’ approach to the sale of plants.
- Clear targets for prevention, eradication, containment and control of pests, weeds and feral animals and comprehensive statewide mapping.
- Lethal feral animal control to be undertaken by professionals and landowners, not recreational hunters.
- Investment in research into non-lethal feral animal control.
- Three yearly State of Biosecurity reporting.
- An Independent, statutory State Biosecurity Committee.
- Joint responsibility for biosecurity to both the Agriculture and Environment Ministers.