[Greens-Media] Why are feral deer protected in Victoria?

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber said there is evidence deer numbers 
are growing, the damage they are doing is growing and it is time to strip 
them of their 'protected' status under law.

"Deer hunters want to preserve their numbers, farmers want to get rid of 
them. I'm with the farmers. Deer do a lot of damage to the environment; 
they are basically just like a giant feral goat," said Greg Barber

"It's a bizarre situation when a feral animal is protected under law 
except for hunting season, and it shows the Napthine government doesn't 
have the guts to stand up to the hunting lobby."

"Feral deer eat shrubs and young trees. They eat tree-ferns and forest 
understorey species to death and they can eat an orchid with one bite. 
This has knock-on effects to native birds and mammals that rely on our 
native plants for shelter and food."*

"I have obtained permit data under Freedom of Information which shows a 
big increase in permits to control deer, especially in the east and 
north-east of the state, which shows the impact of feral deer is growing."

"Farmers and land managers should be able to shoot introduced species on 
their properties, whether it is rabbits, foxes, goats or deer. This law 
has to change," said Mr Barber

* Deer impacts
http://www.invasives.org.au/documents/file/sub_feraldeer_nominationextract.pdf

Map, background info and Greg Barber's FoI data:  
http://vicmps.greens.org.au/content/why-are-feral-deer-protected-victoria

For comment: Greg Barber - 9348 2622

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Liz Ingham
Office of Greg Barber MLC
Northern Metropolitan Region
Victorian Greens Leader

P: 9348 2622
M: 0409 333 595
E: elizabeth.ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au
W: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au

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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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