Qld; Wild pig cull would help prevent spread of disease

AAP General News (Australia)
04-05-2001
Qld; Wild pig cull would help prevent spread of disease

The Queensland agricultural lobby group Agforce wants the federal government to offer
a $10 bounty for each feral pig culled.

It says the move would help prevent the spread of any foot-and-mouth outbreak in Australia.

Agforce chief executive MICHAEL O'NEILL says there are millions of feral pigs roaming
near watercourses in Queensland's outback.

He says they may be a major threat to domestic livestock if the disease was ever carried
to Australia.

Mr O'NEILL has told ABC radio any wholesale attempt at controlling the large pig population
would be achievable and should not be ruled out.

Mr O'NEILL says a $10 bounty on each pig would be an incentive to bring the pig population
under control.

AAP RTV rad/mjm/jtb

KEYWORD: PIGS (BRISBANE)

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