ABOUT $90 million will be channelled through Natural Resource Management (NRM) groups during the next four years, as the Federal Government seeks to deal with the problem of feral cats – one it has identified as being of "national importance".
"Regional NRM organisations will be instrumental in working with their communities to identify and set local priorities for investment," a spokesman for Environment Minister Greg Hunt said.
Eradication of feral cats had been elevated to one of "national importance" within the Federal Environment Department.
"NRMs would be required to allocate a minimum of 20 per cent of their Australian Government funding to community projects, including community Landcare groups," the spokesman said.
"The 20pc investment, through natural resource management regional bodies, will ensure approximately $90m across four years is directed towards small projects under the National Landcare Program."
Mr Hunt said he had also asked Australia's first Threatened Species Commissioner, Gregory Andrews, to champion the development of the Curiosity bait for feral cats.
"The development of the Curiosity feral cat bait is not a silver bullet, but it will be a cost effective and efficacious tool for conservation managers to address the problem of feral cats."
Cat borne diseases – such as toxoplasmosis and sarcocystosis – were increasingly being identified as having a significant impact on prime lamb and wool production in Tasmania.
Sheep Connect Tasmania co-ordinator James Tyson said both diseases were an issue for producers, with toxoplasmosis causing abortions, particularly in maiden ewes.
"I would like to see this issue addressed for wool producers in this State," Mr Tyson said.
Abattoirs have also told producers the amount of sarcocystosis in prime lamb lines was on the increase, resulting in downgrading or condemnation of carcases.
Sheep Connect had just released a fact sheet on toxoplasmosis, to complement one on sarcocystosis, Mr Tyson said.
Department of Primary Industries, Parks Water and Environment senior veterinarian Bruce Jackson said toxoplasmosis showed up through an increase in non-pregnant ewes at scanning, more dry sheep at marking and increased losses at lambing time.
"Ewes develop good immunity following infection and are usually immune to further reproductive problems after first exposure, though ewes that are infected during early pregnancy may have a mummified foetus and become barren," Mr Jackson said.
"Outbreaks of abortion can be seen in maiden ewes, with up to 50pc aborting."
He said laboratory records did not show toxoplasmosis was a major cause of lamb losses, or that it was increasing.
"Low pregnancy rates, increased numbers of dry ewes or significant numbers of abortions in ewe flocks can have significant financial impact and should be investigated," he said.
However, one way of demonstrating the impact of toxoplasmosis, and proving the value of a vaccine – currently available in New Zealand and the UK – was to encourage trials in the temperate areas of Australia.
Carrick grazier Bruce Young runs 3300 sheep across two properties in Northern Tasmania and said there had been an obvious increase in abortions, from the middle of pregnancy until early August.
He said previously vibriosis was the cause of most sheep abortions, but this year they may have been caused by toxoplasmosis.
"It looked different to vibriosis and I really erred in the fact I didn't get it tested."
Mr Young estimated he could have lost up to 500 lambs this year.
For graziers, the loss of native wildlife was equally disturbing as production losses in sheep and prime lamb, he said.
"It's the environment that is the thing which affect us all," Mr Young said.
"Cats are a terrific animal, they are a wonderful animal as a predator, they will live on anything from lizards to small animals.
"I mean, most farmers are out there to try to make a living, but they love their property, they love their environment and, I don't think it gives anyone any pleasure, to see small nesting birds, then find a patch of feathers."
Victorian Department of Primary Industries small ruminants senior veterinary officer Robert Suter said toxoplasmosis was not such a problem on this side of Bass Strait.
"It's the fourth most common cause of abortion in ewes on our list and often related to the intensity of farming," Mr Suter said.
"The cases we see are where there are feral cats, living around the fodder stores, catching mice and defecating in the hay or grain feed, which is then fed to late pregnant ewes," he said.
A review of Sarcocystosis showed eight reports, from about 8000 lines in the past five years, largely from Tasmania.
Next week Stock & Land continues its coverage on feral cats, with a response from Community Groups on the Federal funding.
