Feral pigs
A one-stop shop for information and resources
Subsidies available for baiting: The Australian Banana Growers’ Council is offering subsidies for 1080 baiting to eligible commercial banana growers in the Innisfail and Tully regions. Feral pigs are a known vector of Panama TR4, making their management a critical part of reducing Panama TR4 spread and protecting banana farms. ABGC recognises that effective long-term feral pig management requires an integrated approach combining aerial shooting, baiting and trapping. Find out more and check your eligibility:
The big, pig problem
Feral pigs are a major pest and a significant threat to Australia’s agriculture industry. Damage caused by feral pigs to Australia’s agricultural industry exceeds $100 million per year. In Queensland, the impact of feral pigs on farms, native ecosystems and local communities is no less profound and managing them can be overwhelming for individual landholders. Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, they are listed as restricted matter – meaning they must not be moved, kept, fed, released, given away or sold.
For the banana industry, the stakes are even higher. Since Panama TR4 was detected in Tully in 2015, feral pigs have been recognised as a significant non-human vector of the disease. Their behaviour – wallowing, digging and feeding in production areas – can spread contaminated soil between properties, adding to the biosecurity risk and ongoing farm costs.
Feral Pig Projects
The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is actively leading and supporting a coordinated regional approach to reduce the impact of feral pigs across Far North Queensland. As part of this response, ABGC have established a Feral Pig Working Group with industry representatives to coordinate an on-going feral pig management program. The Working Group successfully delivered an aerial shooting program in November 2025 and is now offering subsidies for 1080 baiting. ABGC representatives are also part of the Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) Executive Oversight Group that aim to support landholders and communities with practical tools and coordinated programs to help reduce this destructive pest across the region.
ABGC have established a Feral Pig Working Group with industry representatives to coordinate an ongoing feral pig management program.
Projects:
ABGC Feral Pig Aerial Shooting Program
Completed in November 2025
Occurred in Tully Valley to assist growers in containing TR4
102 feral pigs were humanely removed from various banana farms in the region
Funded by ABGC
Received support from National Parks
ABGC 1080 baiting program
Subsidies now available to support eligible growers in Innisfail and Tully. Find out more.
ABGC understands that one-off programs are ineffective and ABGC is continuing to collaborate with growers, landholders and experts to build effective, long-term feral pig management approaches. The aim remains to reduce damage on farms and equip growers with the tools to strengthen biosecurity across the region.
The Cassowary Coast Regional Council facilitates an Executive Oversight Group focussed on feral pig management. ABGC representatives are part of this group.
July 2026 media release: Over 800 feral pigs removed through coordinated management program
Feral pig information directory
Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC)
Trapping Feral Pigs on the Cassowary Coast – Information on trap loans, support programs and landholder responsibilities. The Cassowary Coast Regional Council has set up a ‘CCRC Executive Oversight Group‘, which ABGC representatives are a member of. This group is coordinating an aerial shooting program for the management of feral pigs in Far North Queensland.
Feral Pigs, Baiting & Landholder Information
Invasive Plants & Animals (CCRC) – The council’s broader invasive species information and support.
Invasive Plants and Animals | Cassowary Coast Regional Council
Cassowary Coast Local Area Biosecurity Plan 2025-2029 – A guiding framework for pest and biosecurity management across the region.
Cassowary Coast Biosecurity Plan | Your Say Cassowary Coast
CCRC Media Release – A community update on coordinated regional feral pig efforts.
Projects:
ABGC Feral Pig Aerial Shooting Program
Completed in November 2025
Occurred in Tully Valley to assist growers in containing TR4
102 feral pigs were humanely removed from various banana farms in the region
Funded by ABGC
Received support from National Parks
ABGC 1080 baiting program
Subsidies now available to support eligible growers in Innisfail and Tully. Find out more.
ABGC understands that one-off programs are ineffective and ABGC is continuing to collaborate with growers, landholders and experts to build effective, long-term feral pig management approaches. The aim remains to reduce damage on farms and equip growers with the tools to strengthen biosecurity across the region.
Wet Tropics Plan – Regional strategies and planning for pig reduction in the Wet Tropics.
SCC: Feral Pig Eradication – Wet Tropics Plan
Tablelands Regional Council – Guidance and support for managing feral species in the Tablelands region.
Pest Weeds & Feral Animal Management – TRC – Tablelands Regional Council
NSW Feral Pig Management – State guidelines, best practices and recommended approaches.
Feral Pig and Pest Program 2025-26 | NSW Government
NSW Video Series: Feral Pig Management & Case Studies – Short videos demonstrating real-world management experiences.
Video series on feral pig management and feral pig case studies | NSW Government
WA Feral Pig Strategy 2020–25 – A long-term strategy addressing feral pig impacts across WA.
Northern Territory
National Feral Pig Action Plan – Australia’s national framework for coordinated feral pig management.
The Plan – National Feral Pig Action Plan
National Feral Pig Distribution – Up-to-date information on where feral pigs are found across the country.
National Feral Pig Current Distribution in Australia – DAFF
feralSCAN – Record pest animal activity in your local area to protect farms, biodiversity and communities
Pest animal recording and management tool
PestSmart provides best practice information on how to plan, manage and improve pest animal control programs in Australia.
Environmental benefits of control:
- Increased sightings of cassowaries and their young
- Reduction in predation of turtle eggs
- Increased nesting of magpie geese
- A decrease in predation of ground nesting birds, eggs and young
- Fewer reports by cane farmers of cane damage
- Less erosion of waterholes and riverbanks
- A decrease in riparian vegetation damage
- Improved water quality due to less sedimentary run-off
