There are certain actions hunters must legally take in order to be biosecure. These are detailed in the Biosecurity Act 2015 and supporting legislation.

The laws cover things that are likely to have the biggest impact on our economy, environment or community. They include rules:

• Around high risk and priority pests and diseases that MUST be reported - these are known as ‘notifiable pests and diseases’, ‘prohibited matter’ and ‘biosecurity events’
• Controlling the movement, keeping and release of pest animals.

Visit the Biosecurity policies and procedures page for more information (including ‘Principles for management of animal biosecurity and welfare in NSW’ and ‘Biosecurity - Surveillance for pests and diseases of animals’).

As well as prescribing the rules for high risk biosecurity matter, the Biosecurity Act 2015 includes a biosecurity duty for hunters, and everyone who deals with biosecurity matter.

This means that all tiers of government, industry and the people of NSW need to work together to protect the economy, environment and community from the negative impacts of pests, diseases, weeds and contaminants.

This means hunters need to:

• know about their biosecurity risks
• know what action should be taken to manage these risks
• take effective action to manage the risks relevant to their situation.

You can discharge your biosecurity duty by managing the risks you see. This may include:

• Preventing the spread of diseases, weeds and pests by checking clothing, materials and equipment for unwanted hitchhikers when you enter and leave a property or designated hunting area
• Reporting any sick animals or signs of disease immediately
• Letting land managers know if you see broken fences
• Reporting pest animal activity
• Participating in pest animal management programs when you can.

The trick to managing biosecurity is that every hunter has a plan to manage different challenges and risks based on location, seasonal conditions, priority pests and activities.

A biosecurity plan can help you to identify the risks in your business and prioritise the biosecurity practices relevant to those risks.

Information on how to develop a pest management plan can be found at LLS.

The type of licence you need to legally hunt in NSW depends on:

• the type of animal to be hunted
• the land to be hunted on – public or private
• the reason for hunting the animal.

For more information on licences and exemptions, visit hunting licences

Disease transmission can occur through the direct contact of healthy animals or wild animals with infected (dead or sick) wild animals. Hunters can help avoid the spread of disease by:

• avoiding contact with infected animals and dead bodies (carcasses)
• avoiding contact with anything contaminated by the virus (eg. clothing, vehicles, other equipment)
• not feeding any animals with meat or meat products (eg. sausages or uncooked meat) or food scraps containing infected meat (‘swill feeding’).

While Australian authorities take a wide range of measures to prevent, control and eradicate disease, better cooperation with hunters and farmers is vital. Hunters have a key role to play by:

• monitoring the health status of wild animals
• protecting the health of domestic animals
• reporting any suspicious weeds or animal pests

If you have identified an animal that shows any sign of sickness or has an infectious disease, you should:

• report it immediately by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.
• report any findings of wild animal carcasses
• clean and disinfect your equipment, clothes, vehicle and trophies on site and always before leaving the area
• eviscerate shot pest animals in the designated areas (if and where available) or where appropriate
• bury or conceal carcasses and any remains in appropriate areas
• contribute to the gradual reduction of pest animal density through targeted hunting of adult and sub-adult females
• do not relocate, feed or capture pest animals at any time throughout the year.

Brucellosis (Brucella suis)

Although rare in Australia, Brucellosis (Brucella suis) is widespread in Queensland's feral pig population. It is also found in the feral pig population in northern New South Wales (NSW).

Feral pig hunting is the number one risk for catching brucellosis in NSW. Infections can be prevented by:

• wearing protective gear
• safely dressing & butchering the pigs
• thoroughly cooking the meat
• protecting your family and protecting your dogs.

Brucellosis has been detected in dogs that have been pig-hunting in NSW, and dogs that have been fed raw feral pig meat. It has the potential to spread to domestic species, such as domestic pigs, cattle and horses which could impact trade for these industries in Australia.

Brucellosis (Brucella suis) is a notifiable disease which means there is a legal obligation to notify authorities if you know or suspect that an animal has this disease. You can report suspected or confirmed brucellosis in animals in one of the following ways:  Phone your Local Land Services on 1300 795 299; or phone the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 immediately.

African swine fever (ASF)

African swine fever (ASF) is spreading to new areas overseas. It is a highly contagious viral disease that can kill domestic and wild pigs.

The disease has been found in countries of sub-Saharan Africa and Eastern Europe (including the Ukraine and Russia). In late 2018, ASF was reported for the first time in China and Belgium.  ASF has never occurred in Australia and it is crucial that we remain free of the disease.

An outbreak of ASF in Australia would have significant impacts on pig production and health. It would also be very difficult and costly to eradicate.

As hunters, you are our eyes and ears - and may be able to spot any signs of illness in wild pig populations.
If you see signs of disease consistent with ASF in domestic or feral pigs, contact your veterinarian and/or phone the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 immediately.