Deer cull
792. Hon Phil Twiss to the Minister for Agriculture and Food:
I refer to an ABC online news article dated 5 September 2025 and titled "Recreational shooter questions practices of southern WA aerial deer cull".
(1) Can the minister confirm whether all aerial culling operations adhered strictly to industry standard humane procedures for the killing of feral deer?
(2) Can the minister please advise which national standard operating procedures were used, as mentioned by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development in the article?
(3) Has the government investigated reports of deer found with multiple bullet wounds and, if so, what were the findings?
(4) As advised by DPIRD, the carcasses of deer are left to decompose on the ground. Has the increase of numbers of other feral animals been considered due to the consumption of carcasses?
(5) What steps are being taken to collaborate with organisations like the Australian Deer Association to improve humane and cost-effective deer control strategies?
Hon Jackie Jarvis replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) Operations were conducted in accordance with the national code of practice for aerial culling, NATSOP-DEER001: National Standard Operating Procedure: Aerial Shooting of Feral and Wild Deer.
(3) Yes. The investigation concluded that the operations complied with the National Standard Operating Procedure: Aerial Shooting of Feral and Wild Deer, and national best practice was achieved.
(4) Decomposing carcases will not increase the abundance or density of native or non-native carnivorous species.
(5) DPIRD collaborates with relevant organisations and community groups when appropriate.
