http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/queensland-farmers-allowed-to-shoot-flying-foxes-from-today/story-fndo45r1-1226466928681

QUEENSLAND will re-introduce the shooting of flying foxes today – ironically on Threatened Species Day.

Two of the species to be shot – grey headed and spectacled – are listed as vulnerable by the Federal Government.

State Environment Minister Andrew Powell will allow farmers to shoot flying foxes despite the Government’s Animal Welfare Advisory Committee finding it is inhumane.

Outright kills are difficult and young left at camps by lactating mothers die slow deaths from dehydration.

In an effort to make the process as humane as possible, only farmers can apply for permits, they must use 12-gauge shotguns with heavy shot and only on stationary animals rather than those in flight.

An annual quota of 10,580 will be set for four species. The kill will be 4000 little reds, 3500 blacks, 1280 grey headed and 1800 spectacled flying foxes. Blacks and reds are common.

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Mr Powell said the numbers to be shot would be about the same as when shooting was last allowed four years ago and he was confident culling could be done humanely.

Farmers could obtain a permit to shoot only if they had proved non-lethal methods had failed. Quotas would be set for individual orchards and farmers would identify species.

“Farmers are aware of which species are in their area and the department will keep an eye on this,” Mr Powell said.

Conservationist Carol Booth said the decision was in marked contrast to government regulations in June to reduce cruelty towards turtles and dugong during some indigenous hunts.

Dr Booth said growers could protect crops more effectively with nets, which could cost as little as $8000 per hectare.

Stanthorpe nectarine grower Ian Mungall said netting cost about $60,000 a hectare and was not viable unless subsidised by the Government.

Growers did not want to shoot native animals but saw it as an economic necessity.

Do you have a point?

Kingy said:

Do you have a point?

i understand the way the human mind works

wookiemeister said:

Kingy said:

Do you have a point?

i understand the way the human mind works

Don’t suppose you’ve got a certificate to prove this?

:)

>>Growers did not want to shoot native animals but saw it as an economic necessity.<<

Let’s just assume that wookies annual income is about to be eaten by a military general.

That general is the last of his line, but he needs to use all of wookies income in order to have children.

What would Putin do?

all they have to do is put nets over the fruit

the gov could easily afford to help them do this

they won’t, they’ve got 20,000 refugees every year to feed, clothe and support for the rst of time

let the shooting begin!!!!

ps

bats can’t vote, if they could rest assured the gov would be very interested in helping them

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/animals/endtoshooting.htm

Flying-fox netting subsidy program commences and shooting to be phased out

In March 2011, the NSW Government announced it will provide financial assistance to eligible orchardists in the Sydney Basin and Central Coast regions to help with the cost of purchasing and installing flying-fox exclusion netting. In conjunction with the netting arrangements, licences to shoot flying-foxes will be phased out over the next three years across NSW, except in special circumstances. Information on the Flying-fox Netting Subsidy Program and the licence phase-out is provided below

http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/documents/BusinessAndTrade_BusinessDevelopment/Flying-fox-control-methods-research.pdf

“Crop losses are often still extensive with shooting, especially when there is a scarcity of native food.”

wookiemeister said:

all they have to do is put nets over the fruit

Last time I put nets over my peach tree I ended up with 2 dead fruit bats entangled in the net.

gaghalfrunt said:

wookiemeister said:

all they have to do is put nets over the fruit

Last time I put nets over my peach tree I ended up with 2 dead fruit bats entangled in the net.

I sacrifice all the fruit to bees bats and insects except for a few selected branches I put into onion bags. Works for everyone.

Yeah I gave up the battle a while back, Im just too lazy these days.