Australia has long been grappling with a silent, relentless enemy. It’s not new, nor is it going anywhere soon. Yet recently, an unexpected solution has begun making waves across the countryside.
A proposal has emerged that is sparking both hope and controversy. It involves ordinary people, familiar rural challenges, and an idea that some say could change the course of this ongoing battle.
But is it a brilliant fix or a dangerous move backwards? That’s the question at the heart of this growing conversation.
The problem: Feral animals running wild
Feral animals such as pigs, cats, dogs, rabbits and foxes continue to cause chaos in regional parts of the country. They’re not only damaging to farms and rural infrastructure but also to Australia’s delicate native ecosystems.
The scale of the problem is staggering. According to New South Wales (NSW) Farmers, these pests cause an estimated $489 million in damages each year to the state’s agricultural industry. They destroy crops, attack livestock and push native species closer to extinction.
The proposal: Bounties for hunters
NSW Premier Chris Minns has raised the possibility of a bounty system—$20 for each feral animal culled by recreational hunters. The goal is to involve local communities in an effort to rapidly reduce pest numbers.
MP Robert Borsak of the Shooters Party supports the move. He points to the shortcomings of Local Land Services (LLS) in managing pest control as a key reason.
‘Recreational conservation hunters shot 1.69million pigs in the 2024 calendar year and contributed over $100million to the NSW economy, primarily benefiting rural and regional communities,’ he said.
Borsak argues that a $2 million bounty program could remove 100,000 feral animals—a fraction of the cost of current government-run programs, which spent $13.2 million to remove just 112,000 animals last year.
The backlash: Cruelty and ineffectiveness?
Not everyone sees this approach as progress. Emma Hurst, MP from the Animal Justice Party, has criticised the bounty proposal as ‘barbaric and archaic’. She argues it could lead to indiscriminate cruelty and compromise public safety.
Citing past programs in Victoria, Hurst believes bounties promote unnecessary suffering. She maintains that aerial culling, baiting and mass killing have all been proven to be both inhumane and ineffective.
Jack Gough, CEO of the Invasive Species Council, shares this scepticism. He accuses the government of engaging in political compromise rather than evidence-based policy.
Gough calls bounties a poor use of taxpayer money and urges investment in science-driven alternatives like immuno-contraception.
Farmers and rural communities: Desperate for solutions
For many living in rural regions, the crisis is more than a policy debate—it’s a daily burden. NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin has stated that critics are ‘out of touch with the realities of the landscape’.
With nearly half a billion dollars in annual damages, farmers are under pressure. Many welcome the bounty concept as a straightforward way to get help and reduce the rising costs they face each year.
The government’s position: No silver bullets
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has taken a more balanced view. She says the government remains open to considering various strategies—including bounties—as part of a broader pest management plan.
Sharpe acknowledges there is no single solution. Large-scale control efforts and land management need to work hand in hand with community participation.
‘It’s a recognition that government can’t do this alone,’ she says. ‘If there are people who want to help us in this work, we want them part of the program.’
The big question: What’s the right balance?
At the centre of this debate lies a complex issue: how to safeguard both the future of farming and Australia’s biodiversity, while upholding ethical standards of animal treatment.
As the discussion unfolds, more voices are joining the fray—some hopeful, others concerned.
This topic continues to evolve, with fresh opinions and proposals shaping the way forward. But no matter the direction, the outcome will affect not just the land—but those who live closest to it.
What are your thoughts on the current approach to pest control? Do you believe bounty program can be part of the solution, or should more focus be placed on scientific and preventative strategies? We welcome your insights—feel free to share your views in the comment below.
Also read: DNA study shows feral cats killing more reintroduced native species than estimated
