THE Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is calling for a number of key government commitments to ensure farmers have confidence and certainty following last month’s shock announcement to lift the unprotection order for dingoes in north-west Victoria.

VFF president, Emma Germano in a recent meeting explained in detail to Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence, the dire situation facing some farmers and outlined several recommendations to avoid a repeat of the current situation.

“We warned that lifting the unprotection order for dingoes in the north west would result in livestock mauling and deaths and sadly that’s exactly what’s happened,” Ms Germano said.

“The blindsided nature of this announcement left farmers and communities completely unprepared and that’s simply not good enough.”

In response, the VFF recently tabled the below to the Victorian Government, including a commitment to re-establish the Wild Dog Management Advisory Committee to help ensure future decisions were informed directly by the knowledge and experience of livestock producers.

 A commitment to support and fund wild dog management activities that give farmers and communities the suite of tools which are proven to achieve outcomes and a commitment to support producers in the north west with relevant information; to provide expedited decision making and granting of Authority to Control Wildlife permits; and an expedited review of the government’s revocation of the unprotection order.

Ms Germano urged local farmers to report all interactions with wild dogs to Agriculture Victoria to place further pressure on the Victorian Government to act.

“We know this decision is leading to more wild dog attacks on livestock,” Ms Germano said.

“To help build the case for action, it’s crucial that farmers report all interactions with wild dogs to Agriculture Victoria, especially attacks on livestock and the number of stocks impacted.”

Permits are also available for farmers in hopes of protecting their stock.

“Farmers in the north-west can also apply for Authority to Control Wildlife permits to manage dingos through the Victorian Government,” Ms Germano said.

“It’s a sorry state of affairs when it’s left to us farmers to demonstrate the destruction of this decision, rather than consulting with us before it actually happens.

“Our goal is to directly show the government that their actions have consequences and to trigger an urgent rethink.”