Queensland gears up to combat feral pigs

Support for effective feral pig management and biosecurity preparedness has been boosted by more than $2 million to employ up to four feral pig management coordinators over eight regions across the state, including Cape York, through grants available as part of the Government’s Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI).

The new coordinators will help to coordinate and build regional capacity to deliver effective feral pig management, bolstering local biosecurity efforts. 

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Chief Biosecurity Officer and Deputy Director General Rachel Chay said feral pigs wreaked havoc on agriculture and the environment.

“These grants not only mitigate the impact of feral pests but also create more jobs in regional areas, contributing to the overall economic health of our communities,” she said. 

"This funding of more than $2 million has been dedicated to employing up to four feral pig management coordinators to support the initiation and delivery of effective feral pig management across the state. 

"This is a crucial investment in biosecurity and feral pest management in Queensland.”

Since 2015, the Queensland Government, through the QFPI, has allocated over $29.2 million to assist regional communities across Queensland with the control of invasive plants and animals, capacity building projects and biosecurity preparedness through feral pig management.

These investments have been complemented with $14 million from the Federal Government.

Funded by the Queensland Government as part of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative