The Minns Labor Government has sought a technical review of feral pig and deer management to build on the historic levels of success that have seen almost a quarter of a million pigs culled across NSW in the past three years.
Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty has announced following the Government’s record $40 million investment in the program, the appointment of a feral pig coordinator and implementation of the Biosecurity Action Plan, the Government is doing even more to support farmers across NSW.
The success of the program, which has seen some 240,000 feral pigs controlled over the past three years, has been built on increased aerial culling, a huge free bait program, and the promotion of landholders working together to address the common problem.
Responding to feral pigs and pests is a key part of the Minns Government’s $1 billion biosecurity program designed to protect the State’s $25 billion primary industries sectors.
The Government will continue to work with landholders who have responsibility to manage feral pests on their properties.
To ensure the Government can continue to build on the success of its pest control program, Minister Moriarty has tasked the Independent Biosecurity Commissioner, Dr Katherine Clift, to investigate ways to further improve feral pig and deer management in NSW.
Minister Moriarty will be requesting the Independent Commissioner to consider and recommend actions that will:
- Examine the best available tools and techniques for controlling feral pigs and deer at a regional scale, including new and emerging technologies.
- Work through the challenges of delivering feral pest programs across different landscapes and land tenures
- Increase landholder participation in regional programs, to ensure landholders deliver on their biosecurity duty and improve the success of on-ground management efforts including trapping and baiting.
Preliminary advice will be delivered to the NSW Government in June 2026 and a final report will be delivered in October 2026.
