Tasmanian farmers applauded the state government’s move today to further manage the problem of feral and stray cats.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Peter Skillern said the general community had a growing appreciation of the problems cats caused.
“Cats are an enormous, understated problem here. They prey on native wildlife. They have an enormous environmental impact, an enormous impact on agriculture and they threaten human health.
“Feral cats are the major host of toxoplasmosis, which is a seriously debilitating parasitic disease that can be lethal for humans,” Mr Skillern said.
“Pregnant women have to be particularly careful. The parasite can be transmitted from an infected mother to a foetus during pregnancy. Doctors have warned people about taking care when cleaning litter boxes.
“Toxoplasmosis is not limited to humans. It infects most warm-blooded animals, which can suffer a long and painful death.”
Mr Skillern said the TFGA believed the disease had caused tens of thousands of dollars of losses in sheep in Tasmania as well as killing wallabies and other native animals.
The TFGA will be represented on the Cat Management Reference Group that will work with Biosecurity Tasmania to deliver a management plan by the end of the year.
Mr Skillern congratulated Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff for showing leadership in this critical area.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association chief executive Peter Skillern
