Aussie company's innovative idea as destructive invasive pest runs rampant
An Aussie company is taking an innovative approach to help tackle the country's spiralling feral pig problem. With some estimates suggesting the pest's population has surged to a staggering 40 or 50 million, the battle to eradicate the destructive invasive species from farms, private properties and national parks has been well documented over the years.
Last year, hunters killed more than 5.3 million feral pigs, according to the Australian Pig Doggers and Hunters Association (APDHA), with one tradie recently revealing to Yahoo News that he and his family scored free accomodation in rural NSW in return for him reducing local numbers.
Given the sheer volume of pigs culled each year under government licences, an Aussie company is now suggesting that instead of simply wasting the large source of protein, we should in fact eat it. Natures Fare has crafted a handful of ready made meals featuring not only wild boar, but also venison and kangaroo.
'These are meats that are very much consumed in overseas markets, particularly in Europe, but they're not really eaten much in Australia, particularly at home,' Lerida Grant, a marketing consultant for the company, told ABC Radio on Friday.
'Once people try these meats, they taste incredible, and people also know intrinsically what the value of these meats are in terms of nutrition.'
But is it safe? According to Ian Hill, a chef with Creative Food Solutions, yes it is.
'So our natural process of sous vide cooking aids this product because it will kill all bacteria and it will make the meat super tender,' he told the publication. Sous vide is a technique that involves placing food in a vacuum-sealed pouch and cooking it in low-temperature water.
Natures Fare estimates that 1,000 wild pigs could provide 200,000 meals, and are now searching for supermarkets willing to stock the range after trialling them in independent NSW grocers.
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Feral pigs are considered to be a 'serious agricultural pest' due to their widespread environmental and economic impact. They cause extensive damage to native ecosystems by rooting and trampling vegetation, leading to soil erosion, waterway pollution, and the destruction of wetlands. This behaviour disrupts habitats for native plants and animals, and threatens biodiversity.
Feral pigs also prey on native species, including ground-nesting birds, reptiles, and amphibians, further endangering vulnerable wildlife.
Speaking to Yahoo News, the former CEO of the Invasive Species Council of Australia, Andrew Cox, likened the species to 'mini-bulldozers'. 'They upturn the ground for roots, insects and grubs, so they're a serious problem for many plants and animals. Like feral horses, they're ecosystem transformers — they're highly destructive,' he previously said.
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