QUEENSLAND BANS DUCK AND QUAIL HUNTING

The Queensland Government tonight passed laws banning recreational duck and quail hunting.

Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr told State Parliament the shooting of ducks and quail for sport was not an appropriate recreational activity in this day and age.

“While it may once have been acceptable, community attitudes have changed and combined with environmental concerns, it has reached a stage where it is time to make a permanent decision about this practice,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“The new laws follow findings by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee that the wounding rates in hunting these animals was unacceptably high.

“The committee found that up to 90 per cent of birds shot were not killed outright.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the laws would not impact on the existing rights of landholders to protect their crops from damage should they need to, nor did it impact on the traditional hunting rights of indigenous Queenslanders.

“This Bill also does not prevent recreational shooters from targeting feral animals such as pigs or rabbits which cause economic and environmental harm,” she said.

Ms Nelson-Carr said community feedback indicated that many people in the community saw the practice as barbaric and outdated.

In 2004, the last declared season in which duck and quail hunting was permitted, only 374 permits were issued while 20 years ago, in 1984, 1800 permits were issued.

Media contact: Karla Steen 3336 8004 or Andie Gatti 3336 8002