SFP slams dismissal of duck season benefits

Posted on 10 January 2012 by Content Manager

The Shooters and Fishers Party has hit back at comments by a government agronomist that dismiss the re-introduction of a duck season to help control waterbird numbers.

The ABC on Friday quoted NSW Department of Primary Industries agronomist John Fowler as saying, "It would be helpful but in the end I think the numbers are too large to make any serious impact.”

“This stuff is just an apology for failed government policy, driven by these same agronomists who worked under Labor,” Mr Borsak said.

“No solutions, just apologies to risk-taking, drought-effected farmers on the bones of their bums, while government-funded agronomists sit back and take no risks.”

He reiterated demands that the state government change its policy of duck mitigation, which has failed rice growers during the current plague of ducks.

“The NSW government must introduce an adaptive management model for shooting ducks, all over the state.

“Duck seasons are not the whole answer. They need to be introduced as part of an all-encompassing management plan, incorporating the best for sustainable duck populations while minimising or mitigating damage to farmers’ crops.

In responding to Mr Fowler’s comments, Mr Borsak went further, raising the potential for additional income for struggling farmers.

“What also needs to be considered is the possibility of land conversion for use by paying hunters wanting to shoot ducks and other game birds on farmers’ land.

“Native ducks, quail and pigeons are a great untapped resource for hunting conservationists and farmers, who should stop thinking of ducks only as a pest.

“They are a resource that can be managed sustainably for healthy populations and income for farmers.”