Do Landholders Have to Control Feral Pigs in Queensland?

The short answer is yes — Queensland landholders who have feral pigs on their property have a legal obligation to manage them. Here’s what that means in practice.

Feral Pigs Are a Restricted Invasive Animal

Under Schedule 2 of the Queensland Biosecurity Act 2014, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are listed as a restricted invasive animal. Under Section 30 of the Act, a person must not keep, feed, move, give away, sell or release a restricted invasive animal, unless authorised to do so.

More broadly, the General Biosecurity Obligation (GBO) under Section 23 requires any person who deals with a biosecurity matter to take all reasonable and practical steps to minimise the biosecurity risk it poses. Feral pigs on your land are a biosecurity matter.

What Is Required of Me?

The GBO does not require you to eradicate feral pigs — that would be impossible on most properties given the scale of the surrounding pig population. It requires you to:

• Be aware of feral pig activity on your property
• Take reasonable and practical control measures relative to your property size, type and resources
• Maintain a documented record of your control efforts
• Cooperate with neighbouring landholders and local government in coordinated programs where these exist

What Happens If I Don’t?

Biosecurity Queensland and local councils have powers under the Act to investigate complaints and take action against landholders who are not meeting their GBO. This can include:

• Issuing a biosecurity order requiring specific control measures
• Entering a property to assess the biosecurity risk
• Prosecuting for failure to comply with a biosecurity order

Penalties under the Act can be significant. More practically, failing to manage feral pigs on your property can damage relationships with neighbours whose properties are affected by pigs that move through yours.

What Is “Reasonable and Practical” for Pig Control?

Accepted methods for meeting GBO obligations include:

• Night thermal shooting — highly effective, produces a GPS-documented written report
• Trapping and exclusion fencing — can be used as a complement or alternative to shooting
• Coordinated programs — participating in multi-property programs organised by council or NRM groups
• Professional engagement — having a licensed operator carry out control on your behalf with documented results