High country cattle

High country cattle

13 January 2011

published by www.abc.net.au

Australia — The new Victorian State Government has allowed cattle to once again graze the high country.

Grazing was banned in 2005, and as part of its election campaign the Coalition promised to reintroduce cattle to the Alpine National Park.

This year 400 cattle will graze over 25,000 hectares as part of a scientific research project to discover if cattle grazing can prevent bushfires.

Phil Ingamels from the Victorian National Parks Association says the Government is just trying to fulfil its election promise even if it damages the environment.

“Basically they promised to get cattle in the park, putting it under the guise of research is like Japanese research whaling.”

“It’s just an excuse to do what they wanted to do.”