Let's talk about duck hunting. What's your position on duck hunting. You can let me know. One of our text messages said least I hate duck hunting, it should be banned. Well, I think the RSPCA would agree with you. They put out a release this morning saying it's irresponsible to allow duck hunting season in the current context. Doctor Rebecca Ayers is the animal welfare advocate for RSPCA, who do amazing work. Doctor Rebecca, good morning, Good morning, ly, thank you my pleasure. Why are you concerned that the government's allowed duck hunting particularly at this time.

Let's talk about duck hunting. What's your position on duck hunting. You can let me know. One of our text messages said least I hate duck hunting, it should be banned. Well, I think the RSPCA would agree with you. They put out a release this morning saying it's irresponsible to allow duck hunting season in the current context. Doctor Rebecca Ayers is the animal welfare advocate for RSPCA, who do amazing work. Doctor Rebecca, good morning, Good morning, ly, thank you my pleasure. Why are you concerned that the government's allowed duck hunting particularly at this time.

Look, we're really concerned. We would have thought this year, of all years, we have an overwhelming argument that there should not be a duck hunting season in South Australia because, besides the usual reasons, and we know the usual reasons, we know that wounding can't be avoided with duck hunting, and that's one reason why the public are very supportive of banning it. We know that it can't be effectively regulated. There's been complaints to the regulator every year after the duck hunting seasons for the last three years, alleging shooter misconduct, illegal behavior, that's resulted.

Look, we're really concerned. We would have thought this year, of all years, we have an overwhelming argument that there should not be a duck hunting season in South Australia because, besides the usual reasons, and we know the usual reasons, we know that wounding can't be avoided with duck hunting, and that's one reason why the public are very supportive of banning it. We know that it can't be effectively regulated. There's been complaints to the regulator every year after the duck hunting seasons for the last three years, alleging shooter misconduct, illegal behavior, that's resulted.

In bird suffering.

In bird suffering.

So those are things that we already know. But this year, on top of those reasons, we also have the fact that the experts, the head of ecoscience at Sydney University of New South Wales, Professor Kingsford, he has found that duck numbers have actual water bird numbers have actually halved since twenty twenty three, and they've been doing this survey for over forty years. Waterbird numbers have now halved. The species that are being shot during duck shooting season, the vast majority of them are already in long term decline. So we can't afford this when just in the last year those water bird numbers have halved. And then on top of that, we also have the fact that the government knows that Australia is the only continent that is free of the more serious bird flu H five then one, and we are expecting it to arrive at any time. It will arrive by migravery birds coming from the Northern Hemisphere or from Antarctica. That's something that we can't stop. It could be some of our duck species. We can't stop that. What we need to do is ensure that once that arrives, we manage it really, really well, and the experts have advised the way of the way that we need to manage that is, first of all, to restrict the movement in and out of our wetlands, because once the infection arrives, of course we don't want it taken out of the wetlands because then there's a very high risk that it will that it will be transmitted to our agricultural industries. We know in America, for instance, it's already infected the poultry industry over there and dairy herds, and it's currently going through animals in the zoo. So we need to be able to prevent that's spread. But the other thing is, the other advice from experts is to we really need to be boosting the resilience of our wild birds at this point in time, and that means not allowing stressful activities to be occurring in the habitats because in their habitats, because that's going to increase their risk that they will be infected. And of course we know with H five N one bird flu that many of the birds who are infected are asymptomatic. So if the hunters are out there shooting infected ducks. They won't actually realize necessarily that the bird is infected. They put it in the car, they take at home, et cetera, and there you go, it's spread. So you know, those extra two reasons, the fact that the duck numbers have halved, and there is now the extra huge risk of decimating our wild birds in our agricultural industries by the up and coming H five N one bird flu. So with those two added risks, you would think surely the government would not be allowing a season to go ahead. So we're pretty astonished that they've made that decision.

So those are things that we already know. But this year, on top of those reasons, we also have the fact that the experts, the head of ecoscience at Sydney University of New South Wales, Professor Kingsford, he has found that duck numbers have actual water bird numbers have actually halved since twenty twenty three, and they've been doing this survey for over forty years. Waterbird numbers have now halved. The species that are being shot during duck shooting season, the vast majority of them are already in long term decline. So we can't afford this when just in the last year those water bird numbers have halved. And then on top of that, we also have the fact that the government knows that Australia is the only continent that is free of the more serious bird flu H five then one, and we are expecting it to arrive at any time. It will arrive by migravery birds coming from the Northern Hemisphere or from Antarctica. That's something that we can't stop. It could be some of our duck species. We can't stop that. What we need to do is ensure that once that arrives, we manage it really, really well, and the experts have advised the way of the way that we need to manage that is, first of all, to restrict the movement in and out of our wetlands, because once the infection arrives, of course we don't want it taken out of the wetlands because then there's a very high risk that it will that it will be transmitted to our agricultural industries. We know in America, for instance, it's already infected the poultry industry over there and dairy herds, and it's currently going through animals in the zoo. So we need to be able to prevent that's spread. But the other thing is, the other advice from experts is to we really need to be boosting the resilience of our wild birds at this point in time, and that means not allowing stressful activities to be occurring in the habitats because in their habitats, because that's going to increase their risk that they will be infected. And of course we know with H five N one bird flu that many of the birds who are infected are asymptomatic. So if the hunters are out there shooting infected ducks. They won't actually realize necessarily that the bird is infected. They put it in the car, they take at home, et cetera, and there you go, it's spread. So you know, those extra two reasons, the fact that the duck numbers have halved, and there is now the extra huge risk of decimating our wild birds in our agricultural industries by the up and coming H five N one bird flu. So with those two added risks, you would think surely the government would not be allowing a season to go ahead. So we're pretty astonished that they've made that decision.

So, Rebecca, I was in America over December and it was on the news every day just how bad this avian flu was. And as you say, decimating the agricultural you would probably be silly to suggest that it wouldn't get its way to Australia at some point. But I guess what you're saying is why mitigate the risk, Why actually do something that may encourage it now by doing this?

So, Rebecca, I was in America over December and it was on the news every day just how bad this avian flu was. And as you say, decimating the agricultural you would probably be silly to suggest that it wouldn't get its way to Australia at some point. But I guess what you're saying is why mitigate the risk, Why actually do something that may encourage it now by doing this?

Yeah, exactly right, that's right, And I mean the federal government is really understands that this is an enormous risk not only to our wild birds but also to our agricultural industry. So why wouldn't we be saying, Okay, we're not having a duck hunting season this year. We're going to really try and protect and boost the resilience of the wildlife that we have in our wetlands. Leave them alone, don't let tourists in, don't let hunters in, because of course, when you let hunters in to the wetlands, they start blasting away potentially infected birds, then disperse and carry the infection even further. But even before that infection arrives, we want to make sure that we are removing the stresses out of our wetlands so that our wild birds are as resilient as they possibly can be. And you know, the government has made a decision that is exactly the opposite of that. The other thing, too, is that you know, if this bird flu breaks out at h five and one, it's a much worse strain than we've had before. If it breaks out during the duck hunt season, what is the government's plan for how they're going to actually handle that. Like, when we think about it, the wetlands are very remote, there are many many of them, and there are also wetlands on private property. Where people are, you know, shooting ducks on private property during a duck hunt season. So how is the government going to have the resources to remove hunters from all the wetlands, including those that exist on private property, and to ensure that people are not entering and exiting those wetlands potentially spreading that infection further. I mean, it's just it boggles the brain as to why the government would make this sort of decision and hunt. Have the hunters been educated about the risks as well, because they should be wearing fully protective equipment, fully protective clothing into those wetlands. We know at the moment at RSPCA, if our rescue team come in contact with a series with an injured or dead duck or a bird at the moment, they are having to wear full protective equipment. So what's going on with the hunters at the moment? I mean, has the government actually briefed them? Have they educated them on the risk of H five and one? Do the hunters have the equips meant to even be going onto the wetlands? It just seems like a ridiculous risk.

Yeah, exactly right, that's right, And I mean the federal government is really understands that this is an enormous risk not only to our wild birds but also to our agricultural industry. So why wouldn't we be saying, Okay, we're not having a duck hunting season this year. We're going to really try and protect and boost the resilience of the wildlife that we have in our wetlands. Leave them alone, don't let tourists in, don't let hunters in, because of course, when you let hunters in to the wetlands, they start blasting away potentially infected birds, then disperse and carry the infection even further. But even before that infection arrives, we want to make sure that we are removing the stresses out of our wetlands so that our wild birds are as resilient as they possibly can be. And you know, the government has made a decision that is exactly the opposite of that. The other thing, too, is that you know, if this bird flu breaks out at h five and one, it's a much worse strain than we've had before. If it breaks out during the duck hunt season, what is the government's plan for how they're going to actually handle that. Like, when we think about it, the wetlands are very remote, there are many many of them, and there are also wetlands on private property. Where people are, you know, shooting ducks on private property during a duck hunt season. So how is the government going to have the resources to remove hunters from all the wetlands, including those that exist on private property, and to ensure that people are not entering and exiting those wetlands potentially spreading that infection further. I mean, it's just it boggles the brain as to why the government would make this sort of decision and hunt. Have the hunters been educated about the risks as well, because they should be wearing fully protective equipment, fully protective clothing into those wetlands. We know at the moment at RSPCA, if our rescue team come in contact with a series with an injured or dead duck or a bird at the moment, they are having to wear full protective equipment. So what's going on with the hunters at the moment? I mean, has the government actually briefed them? Have they educated them on the risk of H five and one? Do the hunters have the equips meant to even be going onto the wetlands? It just seems like a ridiculous risk.

Actually, you sorry to interrupt, but you mount a really strong argument and you've got some great points there. Are they receptive of the government. Have you spoken to the minister? What is the likelihood of them listening to you.

Actually, you sorry to interrupt, but you mount a really strong argument and you've got some great points there. Are they receptive of the government. Have you spoken to the minister? What is the likelihood of them listening to you.

Look, we actually wrote to the government and recommended that they not allow a season given the extra risks this year being both you know, the conservation argument that the water bird numbers have had, but also the risk of H five N one, the new bird flu. We also know that most of the conservation and wildlife organizations in South Australia also wrote to the minister recommending that there be no seasons. So you know, this is major stakeholders and we have pushed very strongly with I think the strongest argument really that we've ever had to stop a season going ahead, and the Government has turned it back on those arguments and let a season go forward. I mean, potentially this could have absolutely catastrophic consequences and we just don't understand why this decision has been made, and particularly when you think about the fact that the government's own consultation has found that there is very strong demand in South Australia to end duck hunting altogether. So you know that's polling, that's the review of the Animal Welfare Act, one of the strongest pieces of feedback that they got was that the public wants duck hunting to be banned. So this year we also have the conservation reason and the risk of H five N one, and the fact that the government is still letting it go ahead is just seemed senseless. The number of hunters in South Australia, by the way, I think last time we looked, there were eight hundred and sixty permits. So when you think about the proportion of South Australians who support duck hunting, you're looking at far less than half of one percent, less than one percent of South Australians who are duck hunting. The majority, the vast majority of the rest of us want to have it banned. And yet even with these other two risk factors, the government is still letting another duck hunting season go ahead. It's a government.

Look, we actually wrote to the government and recommended that they not allow a season given the extra risks this year being both you know, the conservation argument that the water bird numbers have had, but also the risk of H five N one, the new bird flu. We also know that most of the conservation and wildlife organizations in South Australia also wrote to the minister recommending that there be no seasons. So you know, this is major stakeholders and we have pushed very strongly with I think the strongest argument really that we've ever had to stop a season going ahead, and the Government has turned it back on those arguments and let a season go forward. I mean, potentially this could have absolutely catastrophic consequences and we just don't understand why this decision has been made, and particularly when you think about the fact that the government's own consultation has found that there is very strong demand in South Australia to end duck hunting altogether. So you know that's polling, that's the review of the Animal Welfare Act, one of the strongest pieces of feedback that they got was that the public wants duck hunting to be banned. So this year we also have the conservation reason and the risk of H five N one, and the fact that the government is still letting it go ahead is just seemed senseless. The number of hunters in South Australia, by the way, I think last time we looked, there were eight hundred and sixty permits. So when you think about the proportion of South Australians who support duck hunting, you're looking at far less than half of one percent, less than one percent of South Australians who are duck hunting. The majority, the vast majority of the rest of us want to have it banned. And yet even with these other two risk factors, the government is still letting another duck hunting season go ahead. It's a government.

If the government doesn't cancel it, what can you do next? Rebecca, Oh, look.

If the government doesn't cancel it, what can you do next? Rebecca, Oh, look.

It's difficult, isn't it. I mean, we're just we are having our supporters phone us at the moment really upset about it, and we're just saying, look, right to the government, right to your MP, right to the premiere. We know that in the other states where duck hunting has been banned, and that is Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, we know that in all three cases it was a labor premier who stood up in front of the public and said, look, the time has come to ban this activity. It's out, it's unavoidably cruel, and the community wants it banned. So in all of those three states it was the premier who took a stand. We would strongly, strongly recommend that Premier Peter Malinowskus look carefully at this at this issue and meet community, community demand by banning it.

It's difficult, isn't it. I mean, we're just we are having our supporters phone us at the moment really upset about it, and we're just saying, look, right to the government, right to your MP, right to the premiere. We know that in the other states where duck hunting has been banned, and that is Queensland, New South Wales and Western Australia, we know that in all three cases it was a labor premier who stood up in front of the public and said, look, the time has come to ban this activity. It's out, it's unavoidably cruel, and the community wants it banned. So in all of those three states it was the premier who took a stand. We would strongly, strongly recommend that Premier Peter Malinowskus look carefully at this at this issue and meet community, community demand by banning it.

Thank you, Rebecca. Eight hundred, not a lot of votes to lose. If you do, Bennett, I wouldn't have thought. We'll see how it plays out. Good luck. Appreciate your time this morning.

Thank you, Rebecca. Eight hundred, not a lot of votes to lose. If you do, Bennett, I wouldn't have thought. We'll see how it plays out. Good luck. Appreciate your time this morning.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Doctor Rebecca Eyes is the animal Welfare Advocate for the RSPCA. They are calling on the state government to end duck hunting season for twenty twenty five, look after the wetlands for research and land management, and also minimize the threat of the bird flu which has spread right across the globe. If you've got a thought on duck hunting, eight hundred, not a lot of permits. Eight double two to three double o, double o. Do you think people are well within their rights or are you more with the doctor and you think no, No time has come to end this particular practice.

Doctor Rebecca Eyes is the animal Welfare Advocate for the RSPCA. They are calling on the state government to end duck hunting season for twenty twenty five, look after the wetlands for research and land management, and also minimize the threat of the bird flu which has spread right across the globe. If you've got a thought on duck hunting, eight hundred, not a lot of permits. Eight double two to three double o, double o. Do you think people are well within their rights or are you more with the doctor and you think no, No time has come to end this particular practice.