Feral pigs a high-end product to be tapped
ABC Capricornia (Rockhampton), Rural Report, 25/06/2009 06:22am
A Clermont pig shooter says pig numbers have increased because delivery boxes have been closed. Greg Bennett, a pig shooter, says exports have closed delivery boxes for hunters as the market overseas suffers from the economic crisis. Bennett says numbers will continue to grow if baiting programs are run without hunters. Bennett says no professional harvesters, who take the bulk of the pigs, have been hunting. Bennett says Europe in particular considers pigs a high-end product, meaning in the financial crisis they’re not being purchased. Bennett says the pig harvesting industry is responsible for about 4000 jobs alone. Bennett says pig hunters are stuck with the stigma of being night-dwelling, grubby people. Bennett says harvesters harvest sustainable levels of pigs to make sure there’s enough for the next season. Bennett says baiting is a good method. Bennett says land-holders and recreational hunters will still hunt the animals.
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