Illegal and deadly fruit tree netting

[tumblong2]

Under provisions introduced to Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations any netting used to protect household fruit trees, vegetable gardens or other fruiting plants must have a mesh size no greater than 5mm x 5mm at full stretch. Failure to comply with this regulation could result in a fine under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019. The fine for using fruit netting that does not this specification will be $3303, and $660 for advertising or offering it for sale for household fruiting plants.

There are currently many eBay sellers providing large aperture mesh anti-bird fruit tree netting to Australian buyers. Netting with a large mesh size is more likely to entangle birds, possums or flying foxes. Their subsequent struggle to free themselves causes deep cuts and strangulation, leading to death of wildlife around the world.

How does eBay intend to meet its moral, ethical and legal obligations to restrict the sale of dangerous fruit netting to meet these legislative requirements?

Kind regards,
Jen

[tumblong2]

Hello Sugar249, thank you for taking the time to share you thoughts and make a constructive suggestion - it is appreciated.

I hope you enjoy your week. Stay safe.

[tumblong2]

Hello Gutterpunkz05, thank you for your input to the discussion.

If only it was also 'problem solved' for the buyers, who usually have no idea how dangerous the netting is.
They are generally horrified when they find dead and dying wildlife hanging all over their fruit tree. This is not only a animal welfare issue, but also an issue of public health, as the megabats in Australia are often entangled in urban fruit nets, posing a serious health risk to householders who risk transmission of viruses such as lyssavirus if they are bitten or scratched while attempting to remove the bat. 

[tumblong2]

Hello katistrophik, thank you for your reply.

This is incorrect however - the fines also apply for advertising the netting for sale.

Have a great day.

[tumblong2]

Hello Padi,

Actually no, just a netting with an aperture size less than 5mm. Very simple.

have a great day.

[imastawka]

This is a public forum.

You don't have to answer each and everyone separately.

If you think you are connecting with ebay here - you are not.

They neither read nor respond to these boards.

All responders are voluntary members.

Take up your case with ebay directly

[tumblong2]

Hello imastawka, thank you for your reply.

This issue is in fact a public health matter, just as Hendra virus was. Fruit netting is the leading cause of flying fox deaths in Victoria, making this a public health issue. In Australia megabats can carry dangerous viruses such as lyssavirus, and homeowners risk tranmission if bitten or scratched when trying to remove a flying fox entangled in fruit netting. This is an issue in every state in Australia, except Tasmania.

It well might be that eBay does not intend to get involved, hence the post, but if it is not an issue that interests you, then there is no need for you to spend any energy on this discussion.

Stay safe

[tumblong2]

Hello imastawka,

When people have taken the time out of their day to reply to or insult me, I do like to try reply to them once, at least in the first day or so of a thread - it's just good manners.

Have a great day.

[padi*0409]

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@tumblong2 wrote:

Hello Padi,

Actually no, just a netting with an aperture size less than 5mm. Very simple.

have a great day.

---

As said, what you are talking about is proposed legislation in ONE Australian state.

Also if you think that animals can't get their limbs caught in 5mm bird mesh, then you are either misinformed or you choose to ignore it. Remember as well, over time bird netting will deteriorate and larger holes can easily appear, negating the stipulation of there being a 5mm limit to that mesh.

Your opening post concentrated on possible damage to birds/flying foxes from the nets, but now you are saying it's a serious public health issue - make up your mind or you'll lose credibility.

[tumblong2]

Hello Padi,

Thank you for your reply.

My response was simply in relation to your suggestion that I produce a net for fruit fly or a shotgun that only scares feral animals. While I thank you for your time in making these suggestions, putting energy towards these things is not at all necessary, as netting with an aperture size less than 5mm is readlily available online. I'm sorry that I have not explained the link between megabat entanglement and lyssavirus transmission well enough for you to understand. I will try not to introduce any more concepts that confuse you.

Have a marvellous day.

[padi*0409]

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@tumblong2 wrote:

I'm sorry that I have not explained the link between megabat entanglement and lyssavirus transmission well enough for you to understand. I will try not to introduce any more concepts that confuse you.

Have a marvellous day.

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Please don't be condescending, I understand how disease transmission occurs.

What is confusing about your posts is that when one statement is questioned by members you have introduced another statement to your argument.

Was the proposed policy forwarded for the damage to animals or was it because of the possible dangers of Lyssavirus transmission?