The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Minister for Primary Industries, Bryan Green, to include provision for proclamation of the long delayed Cat Management Act in the 2012/2013 State Budget.
Greens Environment and Animal Welfare spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said that the threat to native fauna, primary industries and the lack of concern for welfare through delays in proclaiming the Cat Management Act, which was passed through the Parliament in November 2009.
Cassy O’Connor said that feral cats were a significant primary threat to native wildlife as an introduced predator, but that the spread of toxoplasmosis across native fauna and primary industries was potentially catastrophic, not to mention the effects upon human health.
“The potential cost on our native wildlife and livestock is being ignored, and the delay in proclaiming the Cat Management Act should be remedied the 2012/2013 State Budget,” Ms O’Connor said.
“We have long known the effect that feral cats pose to fauna, especially to threatened communities such as the Eastern-barred Bandicoot. The threat of toxoplasmosis extends to the primary industries sector and can also pose a threat to human health.”
“The tireless work done by organisations across Tasmania to re-home abused and abandoned cats into responsible families should be supported by legislation. The sad reality is that thousands of cats are euthanized annually in Tasmania, due to the lack of regulation surrounding de-sexing.”
“The inclusion of the Cat Management Act in the 2012/2013 State Budget is needed to action an escalating problem in our environment and in shelters across the state,” Ms O’Connor said.
