Flying fox shooting ban begins
Posted
A ban on shooting flying foxes comes into effect in Queensland today.
The State Government announced in May that it would stop issuing farmers with permits to shoot flying foxes to protect their crops.
Instead, they can apply for loans from the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority to use special netting.
Matt Dagan from the Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, in the state's south-east, says the ban will lead to a produce price rise.
"Unfortunately fresh fruits are a supply and demand market, growers have no ability to increase their prices along the supply chain," he said.
"But if more crops are taken by flying foxes this summer that means there's going to be less available for people and that has to have an increase on price of healthy, nutritious produce."
