Wild dog committee gets the axe

The Victorian Farmers Federation has criticised the government for its "lack of consultation" by not extending the committee, due to finish this month, after Ms Symes claimed the committee had "served its purpose".

Immediate past chair Ron Harris, a former executive director of the defunct Department of Environment and Primary Industries, said he was pleased with the work the committee had achieved during its three-year term.

"There were a couple of issues with committee members, which have been well-documented on public record, that made it difficult for the committee to continue," Mr Harris said.

The committee was responsible for providing feedback to government about the management of wild dogs, including the often controversial use of 1080 for aerial baiting.

Formed in mid-2017, the committee consisted of seven members including four primary producers in East Gippsland and the north-east along with an ecologist and environmental researcher.

"This decision is about refocusing efforts to further help livestock farmers - it is not a reduction in wild dog management," Ms Symes said.

She said the government had secured approval to continue aerial baiting at six sites in the state's east until December 2023.

But VFF north-east livestock councillor Peter Star said he was concerned there was a "Greens" element held by some "bureaucrats within government" who were against certain aspects of wild dog management, including aerial baiting.

"It's disappointing and we weren't consulted," he said.

"The bloody wild dogs don't care who's sitting in parliament. These committees, including ones by previous governments, have served an important purpose for grassroots access to either a ministerial or senior bureaucratic levels."

Nationals leader Peter Walsh said the decision to not renew the committee would decimate years of hard work to protect livestock against wild dog attacks.

"Jaclyn Symes' decision to disband this committee means there's no dedicated voice for wild dog control in Victoria, despite the ongoing threat these invasive pest animals have on livestock," Mr Walsh said.

"Labor's more interested in protecting itself against losing city votes to the Greens than it is the welfare of livestock and our landholders.

"This was an opportunity for the Agriculture Minister to show some teeth and stand against the city-centric, green agenda being pushed by Daniel Andrews and Environment Minister Lily D'Ambrosio."