Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00257:body:0:p4
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2017L00257
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 8612–11681

is unlikely to be possible in the near future, as they are so widely established. As such, the focus of feral pig management must be on abatement of the impacts unless they are in small isolated areas (e.g. islands) where eradication may be feasible. There are a range of control methods available for feral pigs including trapping, aerial and ground shooting, poisoning, and fencing. Other techniques, including the use of tracking dogs to detect and flush out (but not attack) feral pigs[1], coordination with commercial harvesters and habitat manipulation (e.g. reducing watering points and/or crop waste for feral pigs to utilise), can contribute to the control methods used.

Feral pigs are mobile animals that have a very high rate of reproduction, particularly in good conditions. Managing environmental damage due to feral pigs requires an integrated and coordinated approach, often across a variety of land uses including national parks, reserves and agricultural lands.

Best-practice management of feral pigs must involve threat abatement not only for identified threatened species but also for other native species that may be affected by feral pig predation, habitat degradation, competition and disease transmission.

1.3 Threat abatement plans
This threat abatement plan sets out a suggested series of actions and strategies to manage the impacts of feral pigs across the nation, as well as providing a suggested timeline and prioritisation for activities. The actions are informed by the review of the previous threat abatement plan, new scientific research and developments, and input from feral pig experts.

1.4. Implementation
Under the EPBC Act, the Australian Government develops threat abatement plans and facilitates their implementation. The EPBC Act requires the Australian Government to implement threat abatement plans to the extent to which they apply in areas under Australian Government control and responsibility. Where a threat abatement plan applies outside Australian Government areas in states or territories, the Australian Government must seek the cooperation of the affected jurisdictions, with a view to jointly implementing the threat abatement plan.

The Australian Government Department of the Environment and Energy will assist other Australian Government agencies and state, territory and local governments, national and regional industry and community groups towards implementing this threat abatement plan. By providing a national framework, this threat abatement plan will assist in the coordination and enhancement of relevant strategies and activities across affected jurisdictions.

This threat abatement plan provides a strategic framework for the management of feral pigs in Australia, namely to:

      * manage feral pigs within policy, legislative and planning frameworks

      * reduce the spread of feral pigs to new areas within Australia, including via illegal releases

      * manage feral pigs based on the protection of values and assets

      * build Australia's capacity to address feral pig