South Australian farmers will have an extra tool in the fight against pest animals through an innovative and successful program that has gained the support of Primary Producers SA (PPSA).
The Sporting Shooters’ Association of Australia (SSAA) Farmer Assist program will provide landholders access to a database of qualified SSAA members with program-accredited shooting skills to assist with on-property pest animal control.
SSAA Farmer Assist Coordinator Matt Godson said the online tool was developed to provide farmers with a free, simple and fast service for dealing with problem wildlife.
“We have worked closely with farmers to develop a tool which is both useful and practical and after a successful trial in Queensland, we are now preparing to help more farmers across a number of other states,” he said.
SSAA SA President David Handyside said the program is an extension of conservation and wildlife management services that members have been providing to the community for many years.
“SSAA members have assisted the State Government with pest control on public lands and in some National Parks for over 20 years, with this program now in place to assist individual landholders,” he said.
Primary Producers SA Executive Chairman Rob Kerin said the SSAA Farmer Assist program was a responsible form of pest control that would help reduce the damage pest animals cause to many of the state’s rural businesses.
“All six commodity members of the PPSA believe that their members could benefit from this program at times, depending on the particular pest animals or pest birds that need to be controlled,” Mr Kerin said.
All SSAA members participating in this program have achieved a proficient standard of marksmanship and will adhere to a strict code of practice that takes legislative requirements and animal welfare into account.
See the SSAA Farmer Assist website for more details.