Little piggies, big problem

Most of us will remember the nursery rhyme ‘‘This Little Piggy’’ which always ended in a laugh. However, I think it is due for a rewrite along the lines of;

This big piggy destroyed a fence,

This big piggy had a litter of little piggies,

This big piggy ate a fresh lamb

This big piggy turned over a paddock

And this big piggy ... ran all the way to a new forest ...

Wild pigs have always been a problem in parts of the country, but in the last year we have had an increasing number of people contact Federated Farmers Otago with either a new pig problem (due to neighbouring properties now being in forest) or an existing problem that is getting worse as neighbouring land is no longer being farmed.

Wild pigs can cause a major problem for some farmers; with areas of their pasture being turned over by rooting pigs, lambs and ewes being killed and eaten (resulting in parts of the farm no longer being suitable for lambing) and fences being destroyed (leading to stock getting out and the added stress of continued repairs).

Federated Farmers Otago flagged the pig problem with the Otago Regional Council at a recent meeting. This had not been on their radar as a problem and unfortunately, they at present have no legislative power to require pigs to be controlled where neighbours are being directly affected. However, they could help facilitate a meeting between a collective group of farmers, concerned members of the public and landowners, where the problem is arising from, in an attempt to come up with some solutions that may help with the pig problem. Hopefully by raising this issue, we can see farmers, hunters, Department of Conservation, council, and forestry owners all coming together to find and fund a solution.

I think the greater argument here is that neighbouring farmers just want to be able to farm safely and be able to utilise the land to the best of its ability. I dare say that if a neighbouring farmer’s stock were to break through into a young forestry tree block, the owners would be unimpressed.

In contrast, the same applies to a farmer that loses substantial numbers of lambs to wild pig attacks. It’s all about being a good neighbour and doing your bit.

To help create a greater picture of the problem pigs are causing, Federated Farmers Otago would appreciate photos and/or information on numbers to be sent through to them of the damage pigs cause and their locations so they have a more defined understanding of whether the change in land use is making this problem worse.

Please email policy@fedfarm.org.nz