SHEEP farmers are calling on increased government support in the fight against foxes.
According to Gingin sheep producer Stephen Slater, fox numbers in his area are growing and the government and the Department of Agriculture and Food (DAFWA) need to do more to help farmers fight the problem.
"We have an ongoing battle with foxes due to lots of piggeries in the area, along with swamp areas and reserves that contain lots of food sources which are the perfect habitat for foxes," he said.
"We have tried everything to control the problem from shooting to baiting to traps."
Involved in various native flora and fauna conservation groups, Mr Slater said farmers were stuck between a rock and a hard place by being expected to look after native wildlife species on their farm, but at the same time unable to gain access to the proper tools needed to combat foxes.
Mr Slater said the real concern was the closure of DAFWA's Forrestfield baiting centre, which meant production of 1080-impregnated oats used by farmers to produce meat baits had ceased, creating a shortage of the baits.
While other fox bait products were available from the Eastern States, Mr Slater said he had used them but found they weren't as effective as the 1080-impregnated oats.
"I've tried using these other baits but foxes don't seem to take them or when they do it doesn't kill them," he said.
"One bloke I know put them out and set up a video camera to monitor a certain spot.
"The same fox kept coming night after night and took something like 26 baits."
Mr Slater said he would like to see the WA Government remove some of the red tape surrounding 1080 poison and fox baits and allow producers to have access to the same sort of options other States have.
"In the Eastern States, farmers have a range of different baiting products and options, why can't it be the same here?" he said.
"If DAFWA can allow pastoralists in the north to become accredited to deal with injecting 1080 concentrate to produce wild dog baits, why can't a State-wide scheme be rolled out and producers in the south be given the same options for foxes."
Marchagee producer Harley Sears is also fighting a losing battle with increased fox numbers on his property.
He said the some brands of bait don't work and due to being unable to get 1080-impregnated oats, he was contemplating taking matters into his own hands.
"If DAFWA don't do something to fix the shortage, farmers like myself will be forced to think outside the box to deal with fox problems," he said.
"It wouldn't be too hard to produce your own 1080 poison, from distilling a certain plant and fiddling around until you get the strength right."
Cranbrook sheep producer Phil Horrocks said he has also noticed an increase in fox numbers over the last two years and started baiting his property to help control the problem.
Mr Horrocks also believes available bait products don't work, and has tried a number of different options.
"I've even tried having a couple of alpacas in the lambing paddocks but they didn't make a difference to the foxes, nothing works as well as the 1080-impregnated oats," he said.
"I find with some brands of baits you put them out, and they just don't get taken."
Mr Horrocks said while he was yet to have trouble getting the 1080-impregnated oats, he said he would be concerned about a possible shortage.
"They are basically the last line of defence for farmers against foxes" he said.
DAFWA invasive species section spokesperson Dr Tamrika Lanoiselet confirmed that DAFWA's bait production unit had ceased production of 1080-impregnated oats for foxes.
"There are supplies available through S7 retailers," she said.
Dr Lanoiselet said bait production in WA was in the process of being commercialised and DAFWA was currently assessing tenders to manufacture and supply 1080-impregnated oats.
"It's expected that the successful tenderer will have the required licenses and production capacity arranged for supply in 2013," she said.
"In terms of efficacy of baits, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) must be satisfied about the efficacy and safety of an agricultural or veterinary chemical before it can be registered.
"If people encounter problems with registered chemicals, when used properly, according to the label instructions, then those situations can be reported to the APVMA through its Adverse Experience Reporting Program."