Farmers' groups have been pushing to legalise virtual fencing claiming all round benefits for animals, farmers, and the environment. 

On 5 July they made their views known at a public hearing of the NSW Parliamentary Committee examining a Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Bill which would permit the use of virtual fencing. 

“Across Australia and even the world, farmers are reaping the rewards of virtual fencing – so it’s time for NSW to come up to speed," said NSW Farmers Animal Welfare Committee chair Robert McIntosh.

Virtual fencing involves the use of a GPS collar to control the movement of animals through an audio cue or an electric shock. 

In NSW, Victoria, SA, NT, and ACT the use of virtual fencing is prohibited except for research purposes. 

 Farmers in Tasmanian and QLD are allowed to use the technology. 

The collars, costing around $40 per piece, give off a tone when the animal approaches a border and emanates a shock if the animal reaches the barrier.

"It has a range of benefits to farmers in the state and the health and welfare of their animals," Ashley Cooper, Policy Director at NSW Farmers said. 

 He says animals can be excluded from environmentally sensitive areas, or herded to areas where there might be weeds you are trying to control. 

"That is great for the environment, sustainability, but also for biosecurity." 

 Mr Cooper said it also reduces labour requirements to build and repair fences.

"Because the fence is virtual, it can't be damaged in the event of a fire or flood which means that you can recover quickly and without the expense of rebuilding fences after a natural disaster." 

Virtual fencing is mainly used for cattle, but research is also underway to test the feasibility for sheep. 

"There might be some adjustments that need to be made because of the wool," Mr Cooper said. 

Sheep Producers Australia also entered a submission to the parliamentary inquiry indicating "a substantial interest in supporting the virtual fencing of sheep and other livestock based on the potential of this technology to significantly improve grazing and pasture management in livestock production systems."

Virtual fencing is currently not legal in NSW due to concerns about the physiological strain it can put on the animals because it exposes them to an environment of low predictability and control. 

"Where virtual fencing is legally permitted the use of collars should be subject to regulation that ensures safeguards are in place to protect the welfare of animals," RSPCA NSW stated in a submission to Parliament. 

Critical management steps according to the RSPCA include refraining from herding animals rapidly, placing physical fencing around critical non-access areas, and not placing collars on young, rapidly growing animals.

A 2020 report from the Rural R&D For Profit Program from Dairy Australia stated that "The cattle were able to rapidly learn the virtual fencing cues and respond primarily to the audio cue." 

It continued that cows were able to adapt to the virtual fence within four days. 

Local Brian Ditchfield said he would give virtual a go if it becomes legal in NSW.  

"Yeah, I would give it a go," Mr Ditchfield said.  

The results of the committee report on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Amendment will be released on 22 October 2024.