Get the training, start baiting, landholders urged

Murray Local Land Services is urging landholders to take part in its free accredited training to enable them take part in upcoming spring fox baiting.

Accreditation is required for anyone looking to bait pest animals in NSW, and there are now two ways to access the training – face-to-face and online.

Invasive Species Team Leader, Peter O’Shannassy, said it was critical that as many landholders as possible take part in the Feral Fighters spring fox baiting program, which kicks off across the region at the end of this month.

“Conditions throughout 2021 have been favourable for pest breeding, and certainly foxes have been no exception,” he said.

“Coordinated baiting programs are the best tool available to combat foxes, as it enables simultaneous baiting to take place over a wide area.

“But landholders can only take part if they’ve had training in the use of baits and pesticides, so we’re really encouraging Murray region farmers to take a few hours to get their accreditation.”

Murray Local Land Services offers free face-to-face vertebrate pest induction training at Moulamein, Deniliquin, Jerilderie, Holbrook and Albury – contact your nearest office for dates and times.

However, landholders can now also complete the training online by going to www.lls.nsw.gov.au/help-and-advice/pests,-weeds-and-diseases/pest-control.

“We’re finding that many landholders prefer doing the training online at their own convenience,” Mr O’Shannassy said.

“Either way is fine by us, as the more people we have accredited, hopefully the more we’ll have participating in our baiting program.”

Media contact: Matt Lane, Communications, 0427 459 755, matt.g.lane@lls.nsw.gov.au