THE power of strong and sensible language to bring action to the desperate situation facing producers battling wild dogs was highlighted recently when Woolproducers director Chick Olsson was invited to speak with the NSW Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson.
Mr Olsson called for a national wild dog kill program in Queensland Country Life in July, laying out a mission statement to help conclude a successful war on wild dogs.
It was following this that he was invited to meet the minister in her office to discuss strategy.
"The minister and her department liked the fact that my plan was cohesive and had a solid foundation behind it," Mr Olsson said.
"We've since seen the announcement of a comprehensive program bringing a number of things together. It's the first time I've seen the NSW government pull it all together and I congratulate the minister and her staff."
He also congratulated Queensland Country Life and Fairfax Media for recognising a serious issue and doing something about it.
Mr Olsson was particularly pleased to see NSW Local Land Services supporting the DPI's application to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to increase the rate of aerial baiting of wild dogs from 10 baits per hectare to up to 40.
This action was No.3 on his call to arms list, where he noted this had been shown to increase the kill rate of wild dogs by 90 per cent.
"Continue this excellent work and roll it out across all infested areas, helping to control other feral pests such as pigs," he said.
While Ms Hodgkinson has been reticent to attribute her department's support for expanding baiting rates to Mr Olsson's call to arms, she said she constantly sought feedback from a range of industry leaders.
"Local Land Services currently has a cross-regional team examining the issue of wild dogs across the state, which will provide feedback to me on any potential changes," she said.
According to departmental documents, Local Land Services has also sought and received approval to use a fixed-wing aircraft in western NSW, where previously only helicopters were authorised.
"Using a fixed-wing aircraft enables a lower cost method to be applied, making it more affordable for landholders."
Mr Olsson also welcomed the news that federal drought relief money would be spent on a second round of baiting in the state.
"This is the first time this has happened and it's very positive news," he said.
"It means that farmers won't have to prepare baits themselves or pay for chopper time.
"There's a huge amount of money involved, which can put people off."
If he had his way, an annual allocation of $25 million from the federal government would be a more permanent way of getting results for the wild dog problem.