Hinchinbrook MP, Andrew Cripps, says the establishment of a crocodile egg harvesting industry in North Queensland is a ‘no brainer’ and should be established immediately as part of the current review of the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan.

Mr Cripps said he strongly supported recent calls by Pormpuraaw Shire Council Ranger, Robbie Morris, to establish an egg harvesting industry in North Queensland and believed it could we done without any adverse impact on the wild crocodile population whatsoever.

“This is a sensible proposal from a very experienced person in Robbie Morris and it reflects every conversation that I have had with several existing crocodile farm operators between Rockhampton and Cairns over the last five years – it’s a no brainer” said Mr Cripps.

“There is currently a review of the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan underway, so this is the perfect opportunity for a new industry to be established and potentially create a number of new jobs in North Queensland, which are desperately needed” he said.

“The fact is there is a high mortality rate for crocodile eggs in the wild, so well trained experienced operators would be able take eggs sustainably without impacting on wild crocodile numbers”.

“Queensland crocodile farmers that need access to a supply of wild eggs are currently importing them from the Northern Territory – this is absolutely ridiculous and unnecessary”.

Mr Cripps called on the Palaszczuk Government to ensure that the opportunity to establish a new industry in North Queensland was not passed over for ideological or political reasons.

Shadow Minister for Environment, Stephen Bennett, said he supported calls for the sustainable harvesting of wild crocodile eggs in Queensland after he recently returned from Darwin where he met with experts reviewing the successful practice in the Northern Territory.

“The Northern Territory is leading the way in crocodile management with sensible, sustainable practices in place and we should be following suit here in Queensland” said Mr Bennett.

“Queensland’s crocodile farming industry is being left behind – it needs to be supported, not ignored – we can have sustainable wild egg harvesting in North Queensland” he said.