Animal groups warn $20m for native wildlife protection falls drastically short
Animal welfare groups are criticizing the Australian federal government's $20 million allocation for native wildlife protection against bird flu as insufficient. They argue the funding is disproportionately focused on commercial biosecurity rather than the urgent needs of threatened native species.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between protecting commercial agricultural interests and preserving biodiversity during a national biosecurity crisis.
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Share A A A Federal funding to combat the deadly bird flu gripping Australia is being disproportionately spent on biosecurity measures including for commercial chicken farms, rather than defending threatened native populations, animal groups have warned.
The Invasive Species Council called the $20 million in fresh funding to help bolster native species’ resilience to the virus “deeply unserious”.
A chicken at a free range farm. Animal groups are concerned government money is going to support biosecurity measures ahead of protecting native species. Joe Armao “This is less than the government was spending on wildlife resilience before bird flu even arrived,” chief executive Jack Gough said.
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