Help keep our Alps cattle free!
The State Government is once again trying to reinstate cattle grazing in Victoria's Alpine National Park. Under a cloak of secrecy, it is attempting to redesign its flawed alpine cattle grazing trials, hoping to avoid Federal Government intervention. Last summer's research program was widely criticised by the scientific community. And the government has failed to honour its promise to release the results of last summer's 'trial'. Instead it is pressing on with redesigning the trial sites, in considerable secrecy. The return of cattle to six 'research sites' last summer was a political promise to the cattlemen, masquerading as science. It has potentially undermined years of environmental restoration and threatened nationally significant alpine sphagnum moss beds and wetlands. Years of scientific evidence shows cattle pollute waterways, trample delicate wetlands, cause soil erosion and spread weeds. |
|
Help stop the Baillieu Government from turning Victoria's Alpine National Park into a cow paddock.
1. Sign our petition calling on the State Government to abandon cattle grazing in the Alpine National Park and dramatically increase funding for weed and feral animal control.
2. Write to Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu, and his environment minister Ryan Smith, telling them the Alpine National Park must remain cattle free. If you want to phone his office the number is 03 9651 5000.
3. Also write to Federal Environment Minister Tony Burke, if you want to phone his office the number is 02 6277 7640.
Contact your local MP
Let your local member in the Victorian Parliament know that you don't want the Alpine National Park treated like a cow paddock.
If you don't know who your local representative in the Victorian Parliament is you can find out by visiting the parliamentary website.
When contacting your local MP you could make the following points:
- There was no recommendation by the Bushfires Royal Commission to conduct a cattle grazing trial in the alps (or anywhere else).
- In an alpine environment cattle pollute waterways, trample delicate wetlands, cause soil erosion and spread weeds.
- Cattle will reduce visitor enjoyment of the park by trashing what should be spectacular wildflower displays.
- If the Victorian Government is determined to restart a cattle grazing trial, it should happen outside the national park , where it can be managed less expensively in areas already grazed by cattle.
Legal advice confirms grazing needs federal approval FAQ sheet - cattle grazing in the Alps Science, credibility and alpine grazing
Alpine cattle grazing - it's a park, not a paddock
Plans to reintroduce cattle into Victoria's Alps are based on the misguided assumption that alpine cattle grazing helps with fire abatement. The facts couldn't be further from the truth.
Why cattle will never again roam free in the high country
The VNPA's Phil Ingamells discusses why the Victorian Coalition's promise to return cattle grazing to the state's high country is a backward move, and analyses why cattle shouldn't, indeed can't, return to the Alpine National Park.