📷Photo:
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce and TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman inspect deer activity on a Tasmanian property as part of discussions around strengthening deer management support for landholders. Photo by Grayson Genders.
The Tasmanian Government is partnering with the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia to boost the nationally established Farmer Assist Program in Tasmania.
The Farmer Assist Program, administered by the Association, acts as a service to match volunteer recreational hunters with landowners to help manage the impacts of deer on crops, property and natural values.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Gavin Pearce said the Tasmanian Government had provided $30,000 to support and expand the program as part of a key election commitment.
“We know that we need to do more to tackle deer numbers in this state, and this is one of the many steps our Government is taking to deliver on that,” Minister Pearce said.
“This program is not a silver bullet - but it is sensible, low cost, and it works.
“Backing in the Farmer Assist Program will give our hunters and landholders the tools they need to work together and mitigate the impacts of deer.
“What happens overseas has an impact on the revenues and costs of running a farm.
“We can’t pretend Tasmania is insulated from what’s happening globally, but we can step up to back in our farmers when they need it most.
“Giving the Farmer Assist Program a solid foothold in Tasmania will be game-changing for our primary producers who’ve been wearing the burden of deer impacts on their land.”
TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman said browsing wildlife and feral species such as deer were highlighted by members as the single biggest issue requiring support over the next 12 months.
“Farmers are telling us loud and clear that exploding deer populations are now one of the biggest threats to productivity, profitability and land management across Tasmania,” Mr Calman said.
"While no single solution will fix the issue in isolation, the Farm Assist program is an important new tool in the toolbox and a positive step forward.”
The Farmer Assist Program connects volunteer recreational hunters with farmers and landholders seeking practical support to manage deer populations on private land.
Learn more about the Farmer Assist Program here: https://farmerassist.com.au/