A STATE Government-backed bounty scheme will support farmers in eradicating 20,000 foxes from the South Australianlandscape.
The $220,000 program will provide a $10 payment for each fox scalp collected across South Australia.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said similar initiatives had been successful interstate and would support the current ongoing baiting program.
“Foxes cause significant economic losses to farmers by preying on newborn lambs, calves, kid goats and poultry,” Mr Basham said.
“The economic impact of foxes nationwide is estimated at around $227m per annum.
“We also know they are responsible for the ongoing decline of ground-nesting birds, small to medium sized mammals such as the greater bilby and reptiles.”
The program will be limited to claims from livestock and poultry producers, to ensure the funding goes to directly benefit farmers and prevent claims being made for foxes killed interstate.
Farmers can enter into their own arrangements with professional and recreational shooters.
Livestock SA chief executive Andrew Curtis welcomed the fox bounty program.
“We are well aware that fox bounties are not a silver bullet to completely eliminate the impacts of foxes, but the funding support provided to livestock producers will help to lift the standard of our fox control programs,” Mr Curtis said.
The fox bounty will be available for two years, or until the funding runs out.
It is expected scalps will be collected at specified locations, quarterly in conjunction with other industry meetings, workshops or field days.
A minimum of 10 scalps and a maximum of 100 scalps per property can be claimed at each collection day.
Each property may claim up to a maximum of 300 scalps per year.
Visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/fox-bounty for more information.
